EADiN] THE MEDICINE DANCE 373 



which up to this time has been of no consequence, changes into that 

 of single file, the leader of the east band leading. When they have 

 arrived at the proper place, aU stop. The east leader now informs 

 those present that he is going to make a road for the candidate 

 symbolical of the path of life, which forms the basis of the sweat 

 bath and medicine dance. Singing, he circles the spot four times. 

 At the end of the fourth circuit he stops and all turn around and 

 face east. The leader of the north band has also the right to go 

 through this ritual, but he does not always do it. Repeating the 

 ceremony is, in all probability, connected with extra expense. All 

 now sit down and the specific rites of the brush ritual begin. 



The ancestor host rises and, taking the candidate with him, goes 

 to the leader of the east band and speaks to him. Then he and the 

 candidate return to their seats. The east leader now relates to the 

 candidate a portion of the story of the journey to the land of 

 the spirits and to the lodge of Earthmaker. When this is finished 

 the two leaders teach the candidate how to go through the actions 

 incidental to the shooting, the swallowing of the shell, and the 

 recovery from its effects. When they think that he is sufficiently 

 adept in all these actions they dress him in his new suit, put on a 

 new pair of moccasins, decorate him with finery, and return to the 

 medicine lodge. 



The rites generally last until about 8 in the morning, so that 

 when those who have participated in the brush ritual are returning 

 the other members of the medicine dance are also about ready to 

 begin the day ceremony, the principal one of the entire medicine 

 dance. The ancestor host again precedes the other leaders in enter- 

 ing the lodge. Then foUows the entrance ritual. During this 

 ritual the drum is struck four times at stated intervals. The smoking 

 ritual now follows.- Wlien it is concluded the ancestor host rises to 

 begin the basic ritual, which is interrupted at the end of the second 

 part. Gourds and drum are passed to the east band, whose basic 

 ritual is also interrupted at the end of the second part. Now follows 

 first the initiation of the candidate into the medicine dance and 

 then the general shooting ritual. Wlien the east leader has con- 

 cluded, drum and gourds are passed to the north band, whose basic 

 ritual is not interrupted as on the preceding day. At the con- 

 clusion of the basic ritual of the north band the food-presenta- 

 tion ritual follows, then the smoking ritual, and finally the feast. 

 After the feast the leader of the west band narrates the. origin 

 myth of the medicine dance, which is continued by the leader of 

 the south band. The presents are then distributed. After this, 

 the basic ritual is continued by the leader of the west band, followed 

 by that of the south band, and finally the di-um and gourds go to 

 the fireplace. The exit ritual now begins, and at about sunset the 

 entire cerc^mony of the medicine dance is over. 



