98 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



[bull. 61 



during the Sun dance. (Seep. 130.) After a few silent moments, 

 he rose to his feet. The white cross was then obhterated, and fresh 

 sage was carefully strewn over the bare, brown, earth, so that no 



chance passer-by would pause to 



wonder. 



The study of the Sun dance was 



finished. 



DESCRIPTION OF A TETON SIOUX SUN 

 DANCE 



The Sun dance was called by the 

 Sioux Wi waq'yaqg wadi'pi, which 

 is literally translated "Sun-watch- 

 ing dance." It was their only tribal 

 gathering of a rehgious character 

 and was held every year at the full 

 moon of midsummer, "when all na- 

 ture and even men were rejoicing." 

 The trees were in full leaf and the 

 June berries were ripe. Further, the 

 wild sage was fully grown — a thing 

 especially desired, as the sage was 

 used in the ceremony. 



The place where the Sun dance was 

 held changed from year to year, but 

 was known to all the tribe. Across 

 the prairie came the little compa- 

 nies of Sioux, some traveling a long 

 distance to attend the ceremony. 

 One band after another arrived and 

 erected its tipis in the accustomed 

 part of the tribal circle. Each band 

 constructed a vapor lodge ("sweat 

 bath") near its camp for the use 

 of those who took part in the dance, 

 also a larger lodge in which the 

 dancers assembled before and after 

 the ceremony. 



The Sun dance was held in the center of the great circle of tents. 

 The opening of this tribal circle was toward the East, and the tent of 

 the itag'cai) ^ (Leader of the Dancers) was opposite. A short dis- 

 tance in front of his tent was the council tent, larger than the others 

 and without decoration. There the chiefs and leading men met to 



Fig. 21. Lariat and whistle carried in Sun dance. 



1 The meaning of this word is "leader," and its exact significance is understood from the connection in 

 which it is used. (See p. 70, footnote.) 



