DENSMOKE] TETON SIOUX MUSIC 103 



In the specimens illuslratocl the tobucco is wrapped iu the dried 

 bladder of a steer, buffalo bladder being formerly used. The num- 

 ber of these packets varied; 10 was the usual nmnber, though a 

 dancer sometimes gave 100. The sticks bearing the packets were 

 l)laced upright in the ground or left in any available place, and, hke 

 the other gifts of the dancei-s, were taken by the poor of the tribe. 



If a man's vow mvolved the cutting of his flesh he was permitted 

 to offer a pipe similar to that of the Intercessor, filled with tobacco, 

 sealed with buffalo fat, and placed beside the Intercessor's pipe 

 during the ceremony. I^na'la-wi<5a' (Lone Man) stated that his Sun- 

 dance vow included the offering of a pipe; he therefore offered a pipe 

 when fidfilling his vow and had kept the pipe with greatest care. 

 This w^as smoked when the membei-s of the Sun-dance council 

 revisited the site of the final Sun dance, August 29, 1911, and was 

 again placed on the square of exposed earth, which was stiU discern- 

 ible on the prairie. (See p. 93.) 



Preparation for the Sun dance included the choice of others who 

 were to take part in the ceremony. It was required that the four 

 young men who were to select the tree for the sacred pole should 

 be unmarried, members of prominent families and men of unques- 

 tioned integi'ity. The four women were selected from among the 

 virgins of the tribe. Great care w^as exercised in these selections, 

 and each choice could be challenged by the tribe. There was, how- 

 over, no open rivalry at the time of the election, it being known who 

 would probably be chosen. 



Twenty or more men were selected who should carry the sacred 

 pole to the camp and erect it in the Smi-dance circle; these men also 

 sang at the diimi, together with special singers, both men and women. 



During the days before a Sun dance several begging dances were held. 

 The beggmg dance, which was performed at every Sioux gathering, 

 resembled a serenade rather than a dance. A party of men and women 

 carrying a drum went from tent to tent, pausing before each and sing- 

 ing and dancing until food was given them. A man went in advance 

 of the party and placed a stick upright in the gromid before each tent 

 where the serenaders expected to sing. This was a signal to the 

 occupants of the tent, the stick being removed by the singere after 

 they had been supphed with food.^ 



To those who were to take part in the Sun dance the days pre- 

 ceding the ceremony were a season of preparation, including visits 

 to the vapor lodges of their respective bands. During this time 

 the dancers usually made the arrangements for the painting of their 

 bodi(»s. The painting was done by men of known ability, who 

 were paid by the individual dancei-s. Often there was some formality 



1 See Bull. 53, pp. 228-33; also pp. 320, 327, 481 of the present work. ■ 



