384 THE WINNEBAGO TEIBE [eth. ANN. 37 



The Herucka Dance 



The Herucka is a social dance and is frequently given when visitors 

 from other tribes are present, presents being given on tliis occasion. 

 Men and women take part in it and are generally dressed in their best 

 clothes. A few customs that were noticed at a performance in 1908 

 might be mentioned here. 



If a man drops anything during the dance he himself may not pick 

 it up. Only a warrior who has been wounded has the right to do so. 

 The object dropped is returned to the owner, who, however, must 

 always give it to his sister or niece. 



It is at times customary for a man to dress himself in rags and 

 beg for food, etc. He generally represents himself as an extremely 

 poor man and pictures his destitution in a manner best calculated to 

 amuse everyone. 



Wagers of horses are very commonly made at this dance. 



The dances indulged in are mainly victory dances and the songs 

 known as Ilerucl'a songs are always victory songs. Many borrowed 

 songs are sung at this dance. 



A large drum is always used, aroimd which sometimes as many as 

 10 drummers sit. The drimi consists of an ordinary tub over which 

 skin has been tightly drawn. It is supported by two carved sticks, 

 to which it is firmly attached, so that the bottom is about a foot from 

 the ground. It is painted in the following manner: Two rather 

 narrow lines of paint across the center of the drum, one blue and the 

 other green. The portion of the drum next to the yellow line is 

 painted blue, and that next to the blue line red. No meanings for the 

 colors were obtained. 



Watconaijk'ewe Feast 



(afraid-to-eat-greens feast) 



Informant, member of Beaver clan : Just about roasting-ear month 

 people would commence to fast and continue until the green corn is 

 ripe enough to be eaten. They fast so that all the plants may 

 strengthen the tribe. 



The fast generally takes place in a special lodge, from imder which 

 all the grass has been cut, for the faster must not come in contact 

 with anything that is green. When the fasting is over a feast is 

 given at which all those present eat "greens" for the first time. 



The Captive's Death Dance 



Before putting a captive to death it is customary to tie his arms 

 behind him in such a manner that his hands have a little freedom. 

 Then they put a gourd in his right hand and a lance in his left hand 



