324 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [bth. ann. 37 



THE BEAR CLAN FEAST (SECOND VERSION) 



Informant, member of Bear clan: As soon as the first bear month 

 is visible they have their feast. They do not use meat but products 

 of the earth. The feast is held at night, never in the daytime. The 

 people always save up food some time before giving the feast. The 

 favorite dishes of the bear are sugar and blueberries. When they 

 can not obtain these they use other vegetables. Indeed, any product 

 of the earth is all right. 



When they prepare to give the feast they get the food ready and 

 have some tobacco on hand. On the first day of the first bear month 

 they put on the fire some kettles with dried corn mixed with fruit and 

 others containing green com. The latter is boiled. They also have 

 ground sugar. Wlien these are ready the feast attendant goes around 

 the village to invite the people. When all have entered the lodge and 

 taken their proper seats, then the host rises and addresses them: 



"All my relatives who are seated here, I greet you. It is not through 

 blessings of our own that we can always make offerings of tobacco. 

 My grandfather was blessed by a spirit called Black Fur, a spirit who 

 is in command of all the other spirits. This spirit told us that we 

 could perform the ceremony in this way. It is for that reason we 

 have made an effort to heat water for him." The first request we 

 make is that if we ever go on the warpath, we may conquer. Our 

 gi-andfather was also blessed with life by the bear spirit ' and he told 

 him that he would grant him and his posterity whatever they asked. 

 We shall therefore send to this spirit a pipeful of tobacco, two kettles 

 full of food, and some tree sap.' So much will we send him, accom- 

 panied by an offering of tobacco. 



"As soon as the attendant gets everything read}' the feasting will 

 begin." 



Then the attendant puts food in every plate, and when he has 

 finished the host speaks again. 



"Relatives, it is said that when the plates are supplied to you 

 filled with food, then you should begin to eat. Do not, however, use 

 your right hands in eating." 



Tlie host tells the f casters to use their left hands in eating, and they 

 obey him. Before starting to eat all the fires are put out and the 

 people eat in the dark. 



In the spring of the year this feast is given again. Twice a year 

 it is given. 



Tlie feast ° was always given with some choice dried corn that had 

 been put away for this event. Once when it was time to give the 

 feast in the first bear month, the two daughters of the man who was 



8 Boil soup and prepare food in general. 



' Black Fur is apparently a ceremonial expression for bear. 



* Ceremonial name for maple sugar. 



• What follows is an account of why this particular feast was discontinued. 



