158 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



When a man went on a warpath for the sake of glory he generally 

 led a large party and all sorts of special arrangements were made, 

 because then a war leader was necessary and volunteers were always 

 needed. It is believed that the same holds true for larger war 

 parties. 



In discussing the essential requisite for a successful war party we 

 have stated that a special blessing was necessary for this purpose. 

 There is, however, one noteworthy exception to this rule, if we are 

 to accept the statements of members of the upper pliratrj' — all mem- 

 bers of the Warrior clan may go on a warpath without fasting and 

 without receiving a blessing. This statement was vigorously denied 

 by members of the lower phratry. 



When a war party returns, a very interesting ceremony takes place. 

 At some distance from the village a victorious war party sends a 

 messenger ahead to tell all tliose at home that the war party has been 

 unsuccessful and that all have been killed, and that those at home 

 should put on mourning. Secretly, however, the leader tells someone 

 to look for a pole for the Victory dance, and shortly after all the 

 prepai'ations for mourning have been made the victorious warriors 

 rush into the village. Before entering the village that warrior who 

 has counted first coup is offered a pipe, from which he always takes 

 a few puffs. The same pipe is then handed to the one who counted 

 coup second, and so on, until the fourth man is reached. Then the 

 prizes (waixewe) are given to the victors, who afterwards give them 

 to their sisters. The scalps are not taken into the village, but are 

 left outside, and warriors who have remained at home rush out to 

 count coup upon them. Then the scalps are carried around the 

 village four times. 



The widely-known Plains custom of "counting coup" is also 

 practiced among the Winnebago. The individual who strikes the 

 dead body of the enemy first obtains the first honor, the one striking 

 it second the second honor, the one striking it third the third honor, 

 and the one who actually killed the enemy obtaining the fourth and 

 least important honor. 



The following are descriptions given in the words of the informants: 



Description of war customs and the manner of conducting a, war 

 party. — ^Informant, member of the Thunderbird clan. 



When a man is ready to go on the warpath, he looks around for as many men as he 

 wishes to take aloni? and then gives a fea.st. At the feast he fixes the time at which 

 the war party is to start. The man giving the feast (i. e,, the leader of the war party) 

 would get up and tell those present that he intended going on a warpath and give his 

 reason; then he would say that whosoever so desired could come along. 



Many went along. Indeed, there was quite a crowd. The first stopping place 

 Qiigiyara) was always near the outskirts of the village. There the leader appointed 

 four men to go after food and wood for the fire. During their absence two camping 

 places would be arranged, one on each side of the war leader. As soon as the four 

 men returned with the food the attendants skinned and prepared the animals for 



