66 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



They fasted and became holy. The greatest honor was to be a 

 brave man, and for that reason they did nothing but go to war. 

 They were prepared for war at all times. They tried to obtain war 

 honors. They wished to go to war all the time and kill many enemies. 

 If a person fasted and went without food for a long time, gave offer- 

 ings of tobacco often, and was then blessed by the spirits, then it would 

 be very hard to kill such a person in battle. The people knew that 

 such powers could be obtained, and that is why they did these things 

 all the time. 



They gave many feasts. When a person gives a feast, then he offers 

 the spirits tobacco and asks in return that their weapons be sharper 

 than those of their enemies (i. e., that he kill an enemy and escape 

 unliarmed). That is why they used to give so many feasts, that they 

 might be victorious in war. They make offerings to the war spirits, 

 and if these then bless them they will become great warriors. They 

 desired greatly to obtain these blessings. 



Tobacco is the greatest possession they have. After Eartlunaker 

 created all things he created man. Man was the last of the created 

 objects. Those created before were spirits, and he put them all in 

 charge of sometlung. Even the smallest insects are able to foresee 

 things four days ahead. The human beings were the least of all Earth- 

 maker's creations. They were put in charge of nothing, and they could 

 not even foresee one day ahead. They were the last created and they 

 were the poorest. Then Earthmaker created a weed with a pleasant 

 odor and all the spirits wanted it. Some were almost certain that it 

 would be given to them. They would each think to themselves, 

 ' ' I am going to be put in charge of that, for 1 am one of the greatest 

 spirits in the world." Then the Creator said, "To all of you (spirits) 

 I have given sometliing valuable. Now you all like this weed and 

 I myself like it. Now this is the way it is gomg to be used." Then 

 he took one of the leaves and mashed it up. Then making a pipe 

 he smoked it and the odor was pleasant to smell. All of the spirits 

 longed for it. Then he gave each one of them a puff. "Now, what- 

 ever (the human beings) ask from me and for which they offer tobacco, 

 I will not be able to refuse it. I myself will not be in control of tliis 

 weed. If they give me a pipeful of this and make a request I will not 

 be able to refuse it. This weed will be called tobacco. The human 

 beings are the only ones of my creation who are poor. I did not give 

 them anytliuig, so therefore this will be their foremost possession and 

 from them we will have to obtain it. If a human being gives a pipeful 

 and makes a request we will always grant it." Thus spoke Earthmaker. 



For that reason the human beings are in control of tobacco ; it is 

 their natural possession. This is the story that was handed down to 

 us. The Winnebago made war and made many offerings of tobacco. 

 It is said that the Wimiebago were the bravest of all the Indians. 



