RADiN] THE CLAN WAK-BUNDLE FEASTS 447 



FIRST DIVISION OF THE CEREMONY IN HONOR OF THE THUNDER- 

 BIRDS 



Introductory remarks by Blowsnake, informant. — In winter, in mid- 

 winter, then it was that I used to pour tobacco." That was the 

 time I would go out and hunt for game. 



Well, to-night, a vapor bath I shall take, and if I can seciire food 

 for boUing, that kuid of a feast I shall give. As many of the leaders 

 as have come, that many sliall be with me as I take a vapor bath m 

 the sweat lodge. We are now about to enter the sweat lodge, for 

 everything is in readmess.'" 



Sweat-Lodge Ritual 



We entered the sweat lodge and undressed, and after we had 

 entered they (the outsiders) closed the lodge coveruig. I took both 

 the tobacco and the other things I was to use as offerings with me." 



Host's salutation and initial speech to participants. — "I greet you; 

 I greet you all, war-bmidle owners.'^ My grandparents, especially 

 my grandfather," had concentrated their minds upon this for me. 

 The fireplace with which they blessed my grandfather,'^ that I am 

 going to ask for myself. However weakly I may wobble about,'" my 

 elders will aid me. I am now gouag to pour a little tobacco and 

 offer, my elders, whatever feast I am able to. War-bundle OMTiers, 

 I send forth my greetings to you. War-bundle owners, I greet you. 

 Ye elders, I am about to pour tobacco for them (the spirits)." 



Host's offering to Earthmal-er. — "Hearken, Earthmaker, our father, 

 I am about to offer you a handful of tobacco." My ancestor Dj6- 

 ben^giwi'r^xga " concentrated his mind upon you. The fireplaces 

 with which you blessed him; " the small amount of life you granted 

 to him; all, four times the blessings you bestowed upon my ancestor, 

 that I ask of you directly. Also that I may have no troubles (in 

 life)." 



Host's offering to the chief of the Thunderhirds. — "To you, who live 

 in the west, our grandfather, chief of the Thunderhirds, a handful of 



' "Pouring tobacco" is the ritualistic term for giving a feast. 



i» The informant has passed to the present tense now, for he is actually giving an account of the last 

 War-bundle Feast he gave and imagining that the writer is present. 



u The word tobacco in Winnebago rituals is used as a generic expression for an offering. Thus the word 

 taniwirogi'ju means, hteraUy, "What we are to offer as tobacco." 



" Literally, "Children of the bundle." 



w He does not really mean grandparents, but elders. 



IS The word here used for fireplace is a rituaUstic one. It means, literally, "That one throws within 

 something, i. e., an offering." It also has here the secondary meaning of food. 



« Used metaphorically. 



1' I. e., the regular offering. 



18 An ancestor of the informant. 



19 Here "fireplaces" mean blessings, for only those who had blessings could erect fireplaces, and as a fire- 

 place was erected for each separate spirit, the greater their number the greater the number of blessings- 

 In all rituals it is customary to spealc of blessings received, as well as of personalaccomplishments, with an 

 exaggerated modesty. 



