370 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



privileged members, generally the one who has been drumming, 

 and the circuit is made twice, the leader and his two assistants at the 

 head, followed by the other members of his band. Two stops are made 

 at the west and two at the east end, where songs, called completion " 

 songs, are sung. Then the circuit is made four times, all chanting 

 " Wor-M-M," slowly at first, then faster, the speed of the walking cor- 

 responding to that of the chanting. Then with a final strong 

 "e — ho — ho" drum and gourds are deposited in front of the next 

 band. All now return to their seats, where before sitting down the 

 leaders deliver a short speech. 



This basic ritual is repeated by each band in the manner described. 

 As it is so often broken up by the intrusion of other rituals it will be 

 best to divide it into four parts. These parts are never broken up. 

 •Whenever intrusive elements occur, they either precede or follow. 



The first part consists of all that takes place between the first 

 speech of the leader and the completion of the initial song. The 

 speech referred to is the one that follows the smoking ritual, which 

 may, on the whole, be reckoned as belonging to the introductory 

 ritual, such as the entrance ritual. The second part consists of all 

 that transpires between the second speech and the conclusion of the 

 minor dancing song. The third part consists of all that happens 

 between the speech at the fireplace and the completion of the major 

 dancing songs. The fourth part includes everything between the 

 completion of the major dancing songs and the last speech the leader 

 makes, after he has passed the drum and gourds to the next band. 



The most bewildering intrusion is that which follows the second 

 part. Before the leader and his assistants go to the fireplace the 

 elaborate general shooting ritual takes place. After the specially 

 designated men of each band have been shot, those privileged pro- 

 ceed to the fireplace. Here they sing the shooting songs imtil the 

 ritual is over. The first set of drummers and gourd rattle holders are 

 often relieved by a second set. It is only when the shooting songs 

 have been completed that the leader and his assistants proceed to the 

 fireplace to begin the third portion of the basic ritual. 



Ceremony as a whole: As stated before, there are certain speeches 

 and types of action that can not be fitted into the above description. 

 Tliis is especially true of myths; and these, with the exception of 

 the content of the myth, will now be considered in connection with 

 the description of the entire ritual as related to me by B. The cere- 

 mony begins with an account of the manner in which B. was induced 

 to join the society. Upon his acceptance and payment of the re- 

 quired amount of material, the ceremony began. 



The first two nights consisted of an informal salutation, two 

 explanatory speeches, and four myths, the latter in no way con- 

 nected with any part of the medicine dance. The last three myths 



