438 THE WINNEBAGO TEIBE [eth. ann. 37 



The elements necessary to the acceptance of offerings are two- 

 fold — the specified amount of material and the proper state of 

 mind. The first is quite clear, but the second needs some expla- 

 nation. To the Winnebago the emotional condition of a sup- 

 pliant for power from the spirits is all important, and the proper 

 emotional condition is one which they call "concentration of mind," 

 by which they signify a complete absorption of the individual in the 

 prayer he is making. Theoretically even the slightest interest in any 

 other object is liable to destroy the entire efficacy of the prayer. 

 I say theoretically, for if the prayer seems to be answered a conscious- 

 ness of failure to come up to the ideal never obtrudes itself. If, 

 however, there is reason to believe that the prayer has not been 

 answered, then the explanation would always be that there had been 

 either a shift of attention or a lack of emotional intensity. Tlais is 

 not the only explanation given for lack of success in the case of a 

 ceremony, for there, by an extension of the principle of the "con- 

 centration of mind' to all those who participated, failxu-e might be 

 attributable to a large number of causes. 



The popular explanation was, I beUeve, different. Failiu-e was 

 either not discussed at all and looked upon from the common-sense 

 point of view as one of life's accidents or, if explanation was necessary, 

 regarded as a sign that the spirits had not been tempted to accept 

 the alluring offers. 



It would, however, be erroneous to believe that much philosophizing 

 took place over failure. Failure that entailed the death of an indi- 

 vidual was likely to call forth not explanations as to what the failure 

 was attributable, but desire for revenge. 



With the exception of food and tobacco, which were extended to 

 all, the offerings to the various spirits differed in nature. To the 

 eleven great deities (i. e., including He'rok'a, who is not mentioned 

 in the following account) tobacco, food (i. e., both soup and meat),* 

 and buckskins were offered. There was, however, further differen- 

 tiation. To the great war deities red eagle feathers were offered in 

 addition; to Disease-giver and Thunderbird two dogs were sacri- 

 ficed; to Earth and Sun herbs and maple sugar were given; and to 

 the Moon, bear ribs. 



Having thus briefly sketched the general nature of the spirits con- 

 nected with the war-bundle feast and the general theory of the offer- 

 ing, we will turn to a specific enumeration of the spirits. 



Eartltmal-er. — Variously known in Winnebago as Mq^yna, Earth- 

 maker, Wajagu'zEra, Creator, and Waxopl'ni Xe'tera, Great Spirit. 

 Mfi^^na is, by far, the most usual appellation: Wajfigy'zEra is found 

 only in rituals, and Waxop'ini Xe'tera is more or less obsolete, 

 although not within the popular cycles relating to the Trickster, 

 Hare, Turtle, Red-Horn, and the Twins. 



