DrxsMOiiKl TRTON SIOUX MT^STC 137 



WORDS 



KaggK-iyo^take Sitting Crow (man's name) 



lie' ('el yuijkii)' kic lu'iij that is the way he wished to lie 



e<^el yui) ka' he he is lying as he desired 



Analysis. — Five renditions of this song were recorded; these are 

 entirely uniform. The upward progressions in the measure contain- 

 ing the first word are interesting, also the upward progression neces- 

 sary in beginning a repetition of the song. These intervals were sung 

 with good intonation. From the writer's observation an Indian may 

 vary the j)itch of unimportant intervals, but very rarely loses the pitch 

 of wliat miglit be called the "outline" of a melody. In structure 

 this song is freely melodic, yet the tonic triad is felt throughout the 

 song. The minor third is of frequent occurrence and constitutes 

 37 per cent of the enthe number of intervals. The melody tones 

 are those of the second five-toned scale. 



Even the children had a part in tlie Sun dance, which consisted 

 in the piercing of their ears. Frequently this was done in ftilfillment 

 of a vow made by their parents; for instance, in the event of a child's 

 iUness the parents might vow that if the child should live until the 

 next Sun dance its ears would be pierced. This was considered an 

 honor, and the gifts which were required made it impossible for 

 poorer members of the tribe. The piercing of the ears w^as done 

 publicly by an}^ experienced person, in some instances by the In- 

 tercessor, assisted by those who cut the arms of persons fulfilling 

 vows at the ceremony. The parents of the child gave gifts to those 

 who pierced its ears, the gifts varying according to their means. 

 Some gave 1 horse, some 10 horses, and wealthy persons added 

 large and valuable presents of goods to show their affection for the 

 child. A wealthy famih^ provided also rich furs on which the child 

 was laiil during the operation — soft robes of otter, beaver, or buffalo, 

 elaborately wrought on the inner side with beads or porcupine 

 quills, and brought a pillow filled with the soft hair scraped from the 

 deer's hide, or the down of the cat-tail reeds that grow in the marshes. 

 All these articles were left in their places after being used and were 

 appropriated by the poor of the tribe. 



The piercing of the ear was originally done with a bone awl, this 

 instrument being replaced later by one of metal. After the puncture, 

 a piece of copper was inserted so that the wound would heal rapidly. 

 One or both ears might be pierced, and if desired more than one hole 

 was made in each ear. 



The children whose ears were thus pierced were considered some- 

 what related in status to the men whose flesh was lacerated in the Sun 

 dance, and feasts were given by their relatives in honor of the event. 



