130 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



[BULL. 61 



The drum used in the Sun dance was placed south of the polo. It 

 was a large dance drum of the usual type and elaborately decorated, 

 the sides being hung with bead work and fur, and the supports woimd 

 with beads and fur. In addition to the drum a stiff rawhide was 

 beaten. This gave to the accompaniment of the songs a peculiar 

 quality of tone, which marked a difference between that of the ordi- 

 nary dances and that of a religious ceremony. The men who had car- 

 ried the sacred pole were seated at the drum and the rawhide, together 

 with special singers, both men and women, the latter sitting behind 

 the men and forming an outer circle. The voices of the women sing- 

 ers were an octave higher than the voices of the men. 



The Intercessor was seated west of the "sacred place" during the 

 entire ceremony. The Leader of the Dancers was with the others 

 who were fulfilling their vows, but during the brief periods of rest 

 which were allowed the dancers he lay on the ground at the west 

 of the ."sacred place," face downward, with his head pressed against 

 the top of the buffalo skuU. (See p. 97.) 



The man who had spoken the vow for a war party assumed some 

 responsibility in the proper fulfillment of their vows, and the dancers 

 were attended by the men who had painted them. AU who took part 

 in the dance were required to abstain from food and water during the 

 entire period of dancing. 



At the conclusion of the opening dance the following prayer was 

 sung by the Intercessor, all the people listening with reverence: 



No. 21. Opening Prayer of the Sun Dance (Catalogue No. 501) 



Sung by Red Bird 



Voice J— 168 

 Drum uot recorded 



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