328 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [bth. ann. 37 



feathers, and food. They ^\■^l\ bless us I am certain, for I am told 

 that they even know our thoughts and wishes (before we express 

 them) , and are willing to grant them if we pour tobacco while making 

 them. However, to-day we have done more. We have openly 

 made a great offering to them. How could any spirit fail to see 

 such an offering? For that reason (I know) they wiR surely bless 

 us. And the blessings asked for the posterity will surely be granted. 

 I feel that when I go home and talk to my children afterwards, they will 

 be strengthened by the fact that I have taken part in the feast. All who 

 are present, I greet. You, the host, I also greet. I greet you all." 



Then the second one invited rises and speaks. He thanks the 

 host for the privilege of having been invited and encourages him 

 and assures every one that they will surely be blessed, telling them 

 why they should be blessed. 



Then the third one rises and says approximately the same as his 

 predecessor. He also tells how his grandfather was blessed by the 

 snakes, etc. 



Then the fourth one speaks, telling what the snakes do and that he 

 himseK was a member of the Snake clan and was consequently 

 descended from the snakes. Inasmuch as he had partaken of the 

 feast, all who were present would surely be blessed by the snakes. 

 He assured them that what they asked would surely be granted. 

 Then he gi'eeted them and concluded. 



After that, all the four participants greet each other in turn agam 

 and when this is over they sit down and begin the feast. Each 

 person must eat a cliicken apiece. Thev must not leave anything 

 on the plate, for it is a sacred feast. After they have eaten the 

 chicken they are given soup to drink. 



When the feast is over the host throws cedar branches into the fire 

 and the plates and the spoons are held over the smoke in order 

 to purify them. The host then rises and says: 



"You, the first invited, and you, the second invited, etc., I greet 

 you aU. It is good that you have come and occupied seats at my 

 request and I am grateful to you for it. Even were that all the 

 blessing I was to receive, it wotild (be enough). But you have 

 assured me that I would receive the blessings I longed for. You 

 truly encouraged me. You told me of your grandfathers' blessings, 

 so that I feel positive that I am blessed, for your grandfathers' bless- 

 ings were surely great and I am sure everything could be obtained 

 with them. Surely your grandfathers' blessings were equal to those 

 of the spirits. It is good that you have indeed partaken of my 

 feast. This must be what the older people said: 'Your life is 

 (naturally) weak and you can only be strengthened by the counsel 

 and advice of brave men.' Truly you have counciled with me and 

 given me enough to live on. I thank you for the speeches you 

 have dehvered, for it is life to me. It is good. I greet you aU." 



