346 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



Then he shigs some songs and dances and passes the drum, etc., 

 to the next guest and so it, in turn, is passed on until the fourth 

 invited guest is reached. Then the drum is replaced in the center of 

 the lodge.'' 



Informant, unknown clan: '" Buffalo feasts are given in spring, in 

 fall, and in midwinter. No meat is offered, but only vegetables. 

 The buffaloes said that maple sugar is their favorite food, so when 

 this feast is gi^^en they always have some maple sugar along with 

 the other things. The buffalo feast always takes place in a long 

 lodge. The attendants make the lodge and boil all the food. When 

 the kettles have been placed on the fire those giving the feast enter. 

 The earth mound is now constructed and tobacco offered to it. All 

 those giving the feast pour tobacco on the earth mound, asking for 

 victory in war. When this is finished they sing buffalo songs, 

 starting with the initial songs. When they are ready to sing the 

 dancing songs the feast-giver rises and speaks as follows: 



"The dancing songs that we are about to sing we use because we 

 believe that our offering will thus be accepted. It is generally the 

 custom to do this." 



He now calls on some one to lead in the dance. This individual is 

 always taken from the Buffalo clan. He comes forward, placing the 

 buffalo head on his own head and carrying the buffalo tail attached 

 to himself. He leads in all the dances, the others following lum. 

 A plate of maple sugar is placed at the buffalo mound. When he 

 approaches the buffalo mound he makes a noise like a buffalo, 

 sticks his tongue to the plate of sugar, and licks up some of it. Those 

 following do the same. This they do without even holding the dish, 

 just as buffaloes eat. When they finish their dancing they pass the 

 drum on to another person, and when it has made the circuit of the 

 lodge they eat. Each person has his own dish. Then the leader in 

 the dance is told that the dish of wild rice standing in the center of 

 the lodge is meant for him, and that he can invite whomsoever he 

 likes to help him. When all in the lodge are ready they start eating 

 all at the same time. When those in the center of the lodge get 

 through and the dish is empty it is thrown over their heads, and 

 they do not stop this until the dish has been turned upside down. 

 While they are engaged in doing this they bellow like biiffaloes. 

 They are not allowed to use their hands in turning the dish over. 

 They must do it with their heads, for it is a sacred thing and that is 

 the way the buffaloes used to do it. When they are all through eat- 

 ing the feast-giver sings a dancing song and all those within the 

 lodge rise, take their plates, and dance out of the lodge. 



>• In this account it is not quite clear whether the drum is merely passed to the four prijicipal guests or 

 to all. At the buffalo dance witnessed by the writer in the summer of 1908 it was passed only to the four 

 principal guests. This was also corroborated by a number of inionoants. 



»9 The origin myth of this feast is given on page 243. 



