DENSMORE] TETON SIOUX MUSIC 327 



Wissler^ states that the organization of the Miwa'tani consisted of: 



2 leaders x lay members 



2 sash liearers, or bonnet men 1 drum bearer 



2 whip bearers 8 singers 



1 food passer 1 herald 



Charging Thunder said the Miwa'tani society, besides being one 

 of the most difficult to enter, was one of the most exacting in its 

 requirements. Each member pledged himseK to sacrifice his own 

 life in defense of a wounded member, if such sacrifice became neces- 

 sary on the warpath. When anything was needed by the society 

 the principal officer appointed some one to collect what was required, 

 and the demand was never refused. The collecting was usually done 

 at a public meeting of the society and formed one of tlie tests by 

 which the leaders of the tribe determined which men were qualified 

 to be useful to the tribe. 



If an officer of this society saw in the camp a supply of provisions 

 which should have been donated to the society, he could take it, 

 either for the use of the medicine-men who conducted the ceremonies 

 or for the use of the organization as a whole. He had the right to 

 do this, and it was even expected that he would do so if donations 

 were wilfully withheld. 



According to Charging Tliunder the purpose of this society was 

 to promote friendliness and helpfulness among its members. The 

 more important of its meetings were for the initiation of new members. 

 Any member of the tribe could apply for membership, and if his 

 application was accepted he was notified by the crier. 



Before a meeting for mitiation the candidates as well as members 

 of the society were required to fast partially for four days. Tliey 

 assembled in their lodge, and once each day the leader brought in a 

 pail of water, and after dipping into this a bunch of sweet grass, 

 handed the latter to each member, with a very small piece of buffalo 

 meat. This was all the nourishment they were allowed, hence the 

 end of the four da3^s found them greatly weakened. 



Two old men, after consultation, described the initiation to the 

 ^^Titer. On the day of the ceremony the officers of the society, wear- 

 ing headdresses of owl feathers (liiylmij' suywapa'ha), took their posi- 

 tion in the place of honor, opposite the entrance of the lodge. In 

 their hands they held the owl-feather headdresses which the new 

 members were to receive. All the members of tlie tribe were gathered 

 to witness the installation of the new members. It was required 

 that the newly elected men should show that they were qualified for 

 the honor which had been conferred on them. Back of the fire was a 



1 Societies and Ceremonial Associations in the Oglala Division of the Teton-Dakota, op. cit., p. 42. . 



