104 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 6i 



connected with the making of this request, which was enacted for 

 the writer by Zintka'hx-lu'ta (Red Bird), who represented the dancer, 

 and I^na'la-wida' (Lone Man), who represented the man who was 

 asked to apply the paint. Red Bird made the request, but his 

 friend pretended to hesitate, finally extending both hands tightly 

 closed. Lone Man then tried to open his friend's hands. After 

 succeeding in this with seeming difficulty, he placed a pipe in them, 

 which his friend accepted and smoked. After a few moments Red 

 Bird asked for the return of the pipe, but was met with the same 

 reluctance as before. Finally he was obliged to pry his frien<l's 

 hands from the pipe as he had forced them open when the pipe was 

 offered. This was said to constitute an agreement that one man 

 would paint the body of the other, and in it the "artistic tempera- 

 ment" was typified in an unmistakable manner. 



For four nights just before the Sun dance there were rehearsals 

 of those who were to drum, sing, or dance, each person being care- 

 fully instructed in his part of the ceremony. 



Announcements were made by the Crier, who was a picturesque 

 and important figure in every tribal gathering. An old man was 

 preferred, as it was said that "the old men were more careful than 

 the young men in making the announcements. " ' ^ Mounted on horse- 

 back, handsomely dressed, wearing a single eagle feather erect in his 

 hair and carrying an eagle-wing fan, the Crier went the round of the 

 camp circle, close to the tent doors, announcing the decisions of the 

 council, the commands of the Intercessor, or the events of the day. 

 He was also ready to answer any inquiries regarding the ceremony, 

 as the Intercessor and the Leader of the Dancers were supposed to 

 talk only when it was necessary for them to do so. 



During the days immediately preceding the Sun dance it was 

 customary for each military society to hold one or more dances called 

 braves' dances, which were followed by feasts. The term "braves' 

 dances" is a general one, referring to the dances of the various mili- 

 tary societies. It was said that a dance of the Strong Heart society 

 might be announced by the Crier in tlie follomng words: 



Caijte' Tiq/za waij! Tmnahaii waya'tii) ktolo'. Hiyu' po! (Strong Hearts! 

 You are going to eat to your hearts ' content. Oome on!) 



In response to this summons the members of the Strong Heart 

 society would come in finest array. This society Avas composed of war- 

 riors, and the leaders of the tribe were usually among its members. 

 (See p. 329.) They paraded around the camp circle before the 

 dance, singing the songs which they used on the warpath. 



1 The writer heard a Sioux Crier who was said to be 103 years old, but whose voice in annoiincing an 

 evening council was as the sound of a trumpet, full, flear, and of wonderful carrying quality. 



