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TETOX SIOUX MUSIC 441 



No. 181. Song of the Buffalo Hunt (b) (Catalogue No. 476) 

 Sung by Siya'ka 



Voice J ^80 

 Dri M Jz_80 



Drum-rhythm similar to No. 6 



-3Mh 



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M •_ 



E 



■F — I 1 — 



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a 



Analysis. — Five ronditiojis of this song were recorded. The time 

 was not strictly maintahied, and the rhythm of the openmg measures 

 was difficult to discern; however, as in all such songs, when the 

 correct note values are determined it is found that all the renditions 

 are aUke, and that the rhythm is m reality quite simple. The only- 

 ascending intervals in this song are the major second and fourth, and 

 the only descending intervals are the major second and minor third. 

 The song is based on the fourth five-toned scale, has a compass of 

 nme tones, and is melodic in structure. 



The party entered the tribal circle with the leader in advance.' The stick was 

 again placed upright in the ground, and they circled around it, many striking it. In 

 the middle of the council tent a small space of bare ground had been made ready. 

 This was hard and smooth, not pulverized as in the AloVagpi ceremony, the Spirit- 

 keeping ledge, and the Sun-dance ceremony. [See pp. 71, 82, 122.] A buffalo chip 

 was placed on this bare ground, and l)eside it were placed a little sweet grass and a 

 pipe Idled and ready to smoke. The searcher who was first to see the buffalo entered 

 the lodge in advance of his companions. As they entered the lodge many of the 

 people stood with hands upraised, then saying Hi, hi! they stooped and placed the 

 palms of their hands on the ground. 



Beside the spot of bare ground stood a man whose record was above reproach, and who 

 had been selected to act as itag^cag, master of ceremonies. [See footnote, p. 70.] His 

 entire body was painted red. Lifting the pipe from the ground, he took a little of the 

 buffalo chip and sprinkled it on the tobacco in the pipe. lie then took flint and steel, 

 lit the chip on the. ground and laid the sweet grass upon it. After passing the pipe 

 over the smoke f)f the sweet grass four times, he pretended to light it, holding the bowl 

 first to one side and then to another side of the chip. This was done three times, and 

 the fourth time he lit the pipe. The itag^cag then swung the pipe in a circle over the 

 cliip, holding the bowl in the center, after wliich he offered it to the man who first saw 

 the buffalo. He puffed it four times. The itag'cag swung it again four tim es above 

 the buffalo chip, and offered it to the other searchers, who also puffed it four times. 

 It was necessary that this be done four times, and therefore if there were only two 

 st^archers the pipe was offered to each of them twice in order that the proper number 

 be observed. After the searchers had puffed the pipe it was offered to all those sitting 

 in the lodge, and they touched their lips to the pipe, even though it had gone out. 

 \\lien this was finished, the itag'cag emptied the pipe, and the people in the front 

 row of listeners sat with the palms of their hands on the ground as the searchers were 



1 From this point the narrative is chiefly that of Swift Dog, interpreted by Mrs. McLaughlin. 



