368 THE WINNEBAGO TEIBE [eth. ann. 37 



Tlie tent is now prepared for the initiation proper. Two long 

 strips of calico are stretched from the west to the east end of the 

 lodge. They are about a foot and a half wide and are separated from 

 each other by the fireplace. At the west end a much shorter strip 

 of the same material is stretched along the width of the lodge across 

 the two long strips. Upon this the candidate is placed. When 

 these preparations are completed the ancestor host arises and going 

 to each of the foui' leaders speaks to them in an undertone. He then 

 returns to his seat. The leaders of the east and north bands now 

 arise and make the complete circuit of the lodge. First the former 

 and then the latter speaks. Then the former speaks twice. After 

 that the leader of the north band delivers another speech and, together 

 with his pai-tner, walks to the west end of the lodge, where the can- 

 didate is kneeling. The two leaders here speak agam. Both now 

 take their sacred shells, swallow tliem, and walk to the east end (pis. 

 52, 53). 



Here they speak agam and hold their otter skins m readiness for 

 the shootuig, but first jerk them forw'ard twice toward the four 

 cardiaial points, saymg ''dje-ha-hi, dje-ha-M," and concluding with 

 "e-ho-Jw-ho." Standmg upon the two calico strips m a slightly bent 

 position and holding the otter skin tightly in their hands, they now 

 run rapidly toward the reclmmg form of the candidate, making loud 

 threatening soimds m a quaveruig voice, and strike his body twice 

 with the mouth of the otter skin, emittmg two short somids as of 

 an animal who has succeeded m capturmg his prey. The candidate 

 falls prostrate to the ground uistantaueously. He is iimnediat«ly 

 covered with a blanket upon which are placed the otter skms of the 

 two leaders. A number of people especially privileged now gather 

 aroimd the covered figure, dance, smg, and shout to the accompani- 

 ment of the shouts of the other members of the society, all of whom 

 seem in a frenzy of excitement. When the noise has somewhat 

 abated the blanket is removed ajid the figure of the candidate is 

 shown, still apparently miconscious. He comes to slowly and finally 

 succeeds in raising himself and sittmg up. He then coughs vio- 

 lently, and the shell which has apparently been shot through his 

 body falls out of his mouth. After this his recovery is rapid. He 

 is then midressed and the finery and new buckskin suit, moccasins, 

 etc., are distributed to those to whom it is customary to give them. 

 He now returns to his seat, to the right of the ancestor host's band, 

 where some female relative, generally his mother, dresses him m an 

 ordinary suit. 



(7) Sweat-lodge ritual (Part III) : The east leader rises and with 

 his two assistants makes the circuit of the sweat lodge, while the 

 north, west, and south leaders each with two assistants jom him. 

 At the east end the leader makes four steps with his right foot, each 



