436 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



this twofold interpretatioa really represents the war bundle in a two- 

 fold aspect, first apart from its association with the war-bundle feast 

 and second from its association therewith. 



That the clan is the unit of organization comes out clearly from 

 the following facts: First, there are as many buckskins offered as 

 there are clans; secondly, the order in which the guests are invited 

 is determined by the reciprocal relations existing between the different 

 clans; and, thirdly, by references in the speeches. That the clan 

 unit, on the other hand, has influenced the ceremonial aspect of 

 the feast is apparent from the fact that offerings are made to the 

 clan animals. For example, in the following ceremony offerings are 

 made to the Eagle and Wona'7U'e UaTjkcik, who seem to be of shght 

 importance apart from their association with the clan. 



The ceremonial unit in all Winnebago societies consists of four 

 bands, four representing the sacred number, and the ritual consists 

 of the passing of the paraphernalia from one to the other unit until 

 it returns to the host. Tlie war-bundle feast corresponds to the 

 other societies in every respect, except that instead of four there are 

 ten bands (with the band of the host, representing the eleven exist- 

 ing clans of the tribe). Had not the consciousness of the relation of 

 the war bundle to the clan been so strong the ceremonial imit would 

 probably have been found here, as it is found in all the other 

 ceremonies. 



Summing up, then, we may say that the war-bundle feasts repre- 

 sent a mixed type corresponding exactly to no other Winnebago 

 ceremony, and that beginning as a war feast it developed in addi- 

 tion some of the features of a secret society of the type exemplified 

 by the Night Spirit society, with a imit of organization based on the 

 clan; and that finally it became a general feast of thanksgiving to the 

 entire Wiimebago pantheon.^ 



CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SPIRITS MENTIONED IX THE WAR-BUNDLE 



FEAST 



All the spirits to whom offerings arc made in the war-bundle 

 feast are guardian spirits, with the exception of Earthmaker. 

 Some of them are conceived of as being human, while others have 

 animal forms, and still others have an indeterminate body. The 

 pecuhar spirit. Disease-giver, has a form of his own, his body being 

 divided into two halves, one half dispensing death and the other 

 life. Eartlimaker has no form, and in the few cases that he has been 

 knowTi to bless individuals he always lets his presence be known 

 by some sign. There is generally a difference between the concep- 

 tion of the spirit as such and tlie form that he is supposed to assimie 



6 The order in which these aspects are enumerated is not to be taken as representing a direct line of 

 evolution. 



