372 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth.ann.3T 



followed by twelve speeches of a general and explanatory character. 

 Then comes the "strengthening" ritual, and immediately after two 

 exceedingly long myths, describing the initiation of the first man into 

 the secrets of the lodge, as well as the symbolic meaning of the shoot- 

 ing ritual. All now undress and take a sweat bath. Female candi- 

 dates are excluded. A number of short speeches follow, and the whole 

 concludes with the exit ritual. 



The drum and gourds are used to accompany the songs. The basic 

 ritual is perhaps present to a certain extent. The writer, however, 

 was not permitted to witness the ritual, and for this reason the pro- 

 cedure seemed somewhat hazy to him. 



When the ritual and the sweat baths are over there is a slight pause. 

 Tlae candidate, the ancestor host, and his band enter the medicine 

 lodge, and after taking their seats sing a few songs. When the last 

 song is concluded the other bands enter in the order of their invi- 

 tation. Now comes the entrance ritual, followed bj- the smoking 

 ritual. Thereupon the ancestor host rises and delivers the opening 

 speech of the basic ritual. The ancestor host does not go through the 

 entire basic ritual at this time, because he is not permitted to begin 

 the shooting ritual. Soon after the beginning of the basic ritual by 

 the ancestor host, generally after the second speech, gourds and drums 

 are passed to the leader of the east band. Tliis one rises and begins 

 the basic ritual, which he interrupts at the end of the second part, in 

 order to begin the general shooting ritual. When that is finished he 

 continues the third and fourth parts of the basic ritual. Then drum 

 and gourds are passed to the north band. Its leader now in turn 

 begins his basic ritual, but stops after the second part, where the 

 presentation-of-food and the smoking rituals intervene. It is now 

 about midnight, and the feast is given. As soon as the feast is 

 finished and the lodge has been cleared of food and eating utensils, 

 the leader of the north band continues up to the third and fourth 

 parts of the basic ritual. The leaders of the west and south bands 

 perform the basic rituals without any interruption, except, of course, 

 that of the general shooting ritual between the second and third 

 parts. The drum and gourds have now reached the ancestor host, 

 who goes through the tliird and fourth parts of the basic ritual. 

 There is, however, some doubt as to whether this is always done. 

 Then follows the exit ritual and all pass out to rest for a few hours. 



A short time preceding dawn the candidate and the leaders of the 

 east and north bands and the ancestor host, each with two assistants 

 and aU other members who are privileged to do so, leave the lodge 

 and walk to the brush where the candidate is to be initiated into the 

 mysteries of;the sacred shell and the shooting. Each band must 

 have one or more of its members present at this ritual. When they 

 are near the place set aside for the secret ritual the order of marchings 



