EADIN] THE CLAN WAE-BUNDLE FEASTS 441 



myths is quite important, too, but there she has been changed from 

 a rather indifferent and at times hostile deity to a beneficent, 

 all-loving Mother-earth. 



The Water. — Generally known as nlna, water, but ritualistically as 

 hu7;ge', chief. There is some doubt as to whether water or the "Water 

 Spirit is meant here. This is a deity in no way connected with war. 

 He is most commonly associated with medicines, especially the 

 famous "paint" medicines (wase'). 



These are the more important spirits and the only ones to whom 

 buckskins are offered in the following ceremony. The following are, 

 however, also of considerable importance: 



Eagle. — Always known as Tcaxcep, eagle. A powerful war deity 

 and a clan animal. 



Pigeon Hawl\ — ^Always known as K'irik'iri'sgera, pigeon hawk. A 

 powerful war deity. 



Wonayi're VarikciTc. — A term difficult to translate, but meaning, in 

 general, a terror-inspiring man. It refers, however, not to a human 

 deity but to a bird that is supposed to be almost identical with the 

 hawk. It is the name of one of the Winnebago clans. A powerful 

 war deity. 



Nortli Wind. — Known as Wazi'regi huhi'ra, Wind-that-is-in-the- 

 pine-region. He is associated with war, but is not a very important deity. 



Blaclc Hawk. — Known as k'eredjy sep. What difference there is 

 between this spirit and Great Black Hawk is not clear. 



Day. — Known as hi^p, day or light. The term is used in rituals, 

 especially in the medicine dance, with the meaning of life. He is 

 very rarely sacrificed to and his mention in this particular perform- 

 ance of the Thunderbird war-bimdle feast is merely an illustration of 

 the fact that offerings could be made to any spirit. 



In addition to the spirits mentioned above, offerings were made at 

 different performances of the war-bundle feast to all the other spirits 

 and even to heroes, like Trickster, Tiu-tle, Hare, Bladder, Red-Horn, 

 and the Twins. In the performance as given in the following account 

 one great spirit is omitted, He'rok'a, meaning, hterally, "Without 

 horns." A buckskin is always offered to him, on which is painted 

 a small bow and arrow. He is one of the important Winnebago 

 deities, is supposed to be a Lilliputian, and controls many of the 

 powers relating to hunting. 



In order to avoid offending any spirit they always leave a portion 

 of tobacco as an offering to those whose names they can not for the 

 moment think of. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE WAR-BUNDLE FEAST 



The present war bundle has been in the family of B. for a number 

 of generations. Our informant obtained it directly from his father. 

 186823°— 22 29 



