330 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [Rth. ann. 37 



The host at the same time puts himself in readiness to receive the 

 guests. 



The two dnuns to be used are placed in the proper position with 

 tobacco on top as an offering. The two gourds to be used are arranged 

 in the same way, with offerings of tobacco on top. These four articles 

 are placed in a row in front of the host, who pours tobacco upon them 

 again and asks them for life. 



The host now rises and speaks as follows (fh-st, however, offering 

 tobacco to the fu-e, and telling the people of his own band how he 

 had obtained his blessing, and from what source it had come) : 



"Grandfathers, when you blessed my grandfather with life you 

 promised that as often as we would boil food for you and offer you a 

 pipeful of tobacco, you would smoke it. So it has been said. Boiled 

 water from an animal whom you considered the same as our own body, 

 add spirit food he extended to you, as well as a pipefid of tobacco. 

 This we also are sending you. And what could we ask of you in 

 return but war? That it may be directed toward us, we pray you. 

 Grandfathers, you who are called Happy Nights, when you blessed our 

 grandfather you blessed him with endless war. So it has been said. 

 That is what we ask for, that as you blessed our grandfather, so you 

 bless us. We ask for the same things. You, likewise, grandfather, 

 you who are called The-one-with-roimded-wood, when you blessed 

 my grandfather you blessed him with life. That is what he said, and 

 you asked him in return to make offerings of tobacco. Here is the 

 tobacco. This night we are going to ask life of you. We desire that 

 you give us and all who will be here to-night, life. As many people 

 as will be seated here, we ask life for all of them." 



Then all who are present rise and, holding tobacco in each hand, 

 walk around the lodge, pouring tobacco on the drums and the 

 gourds, and some of it into the fire. They pour tobacco into the 

 fire for the Night Spirits. For the Beings-with-rounded-wood they 

 offer tobacco by pouring it upon the drimis. The offering is made 

 both to the drums and to the gourds directly. The tobacco bundles 

 tied to the in,vitation sticks are offered to the four cardinal points 

 and the four specially invited guests smoke this tobacco, because 

 they are supposed to represent the four cardinal points. Behind the 

 respective invited guests are placed two women, next to the wall, 

 so that they might lead in the dance. When the invited guests 

 come to the feast these women remain outside until the starting 

 songs have been begun. 



The host sings these songs first and when he has finished the first 

 invited guest enters the lodge, ejaculating peculiar sounds (that are 

 probably meant as greetings). Continuing these sounds, he walks 

 around the lodge until he comes to the place from which he has 

 started. There he stops and speaks. "You who obtain life, you 



