EADiN] THE MEDICINE DANCE 365 



2. Types of songs: The songs maj^ be divided into two groups — 

 (1) Those that are sung in connection with myths and after the 

 speeches of a more general nature, and (2) those that are sung to 

 accompany definite and specific actions. Tliese latter can thert^fore 

 he most conveniently divided into (a) minor dance songs, (h) major 

 dance songs, (c) initial songs, (d) terminal songs, (c) loading songs, 

 and (f) shooting songs. The medicine men distinguish only between 

 four kinds of songs — major and minor dance, terminal, and shooting 

 songs. Each has a difl"erent rhythm and music. For purposes of 

 description, however, the above division is more convenient. 



3. Types of action — (1) Blessing: Either hand is held outstretched, 

 palm downward, and moved horizontally through the air. It is 

 always used when entering and leaving the lodge and on any occasion 

 where an individual has to pass from one part of the lodge to another. 



It is always rendered as "'blessing" by the Indians, and they par- 

 ticularly insist upon the fact that the "blessing" was not conveyed 

 b} any words used in connection with the action, but by the action 

 itself. Each person who is thus passed answers with a long-drawn- 

 out ''ho — — o'' and with an obeisance of the head. 



A modification of the above is the "blessing of the head," which 

 consists of a simple laying of the hand upon the head, both the giver 

 and the recipient keeping their eyes fixed upon the ground, the recipi- 

 ent slightly bending his head. A few mumbled words accompany 

 this action. 



(2) Direction of walking in the lodge: Individuals always walk con- 

 trary to the hands of the clock. A person in the east band must 

 make the entire circuit of the lodge in order to pass out. In only 

 exceptional cases can this rule of passing be broken, and that is when 

 an old and especially privileged member crosses from his seat to that 

 directly opposite him during the shooting ceremony. I was given tcK 

 understand that this was an extremely expensive privilege. 



4. Types of ritual: Parts III, IV, and V can be so analyzed that 

 they fall mto a fairly well-defined number of units, consisting of 

 speeches, songs, and movements. These units are nuie iu nimiber. 

 Artificial distinctions have been avoided in this division, as far as 

 possible. The units are (1) entrance ritual; (2) exit ritual; (3) fire 

 ritual; (4) presentation-of-food ritual; (.5) shootmg ritual; (6) mitia- 

 tion ritual; (7) sweat-lodge ritual; (8) smoking ritual; (9) basic ritual. 



Of these, (3), (5), (7), (8), and (9) are found in Part III; all except 

 (7) and (6) m Part IV (a); and all except (7) bi Part IV (h). (5) 

 does not actually occur ui Part III, but is described ui detail in the 

 myth related there. The order in which we will discuss these cere- 

 monial units is not the order in which they follow one another 

 m the ritual. Some are interwoven with one another. Both these 

 factors will, however, be considered in the description of the entire 

 ritual, following the description of each ceremonial unit. 



