BADiN] THE CLAN WAR-BUNDLE FEASTS 453 



will be present to smoke with them, it is said. And lest (through 

 forgetf Illness) they do not think of certain spirits they have some 

 tobacco ready for these, that they may also smoke it. Wherever 

 it is that the spirits have their gathering places there it is that the 

 tobacco goes. The Thunderbirds have a tobacco-gathering place, it 

 is said. The Night Spirits have one also, it is said. The place that 

 I spoke of as the one where Djobena77giwi'7;xga was blessed, that is 

 the tobacco-gathering place of the Night Spirits, Grandfather 

 Djobenaj;gi\\i'T;xga said. Up above there is also a tobacco-gathering 

 place, it is said. And, again, on the earth there is a gathering place 

 somewhere, it is said. Under the earth there is a gathering place 

 somewhere also, it is said. The mixed tobacco is placed in the center 

 of the long lodge, and though this is not pure tobacco there is plenty 

 of it. The feasters try to consume all of it. They would smoke very 

 much, for they desired (certain things from the spirits). Thus the 

 feasters would encourage one another, for they, the spirits, loved 

 holy tobacco. "Try^ to make them smoke as much tobacco as 

 possible that you may obtain war powers, it is said." 



He (the host) smoked for them (the spirits). He also encouraged 

 the feasters (to smoke) and had the attendants go repeatedly to fill 

 the pipe of the guests seated m the lodge. 'Be diligent," he told 

 them "and try to smoke as much as you can." All night he offered 

 them tobacco to smoke, it is said.^' 



The Tobacco Offering to the Spirits 



Host's initial speech. — "Six white buckskins, with enough material 

 for as many pairs of mocassins, I am going to send to our grand- 

 parents. They will be able to recognize (the buckskins) by the marks 

 upon them.^* If (spirits) you recognize them, it is our desire that 

 you take these buckskins. That is why I am doing this. I hope, 

 also, that our grandfathers wiU accept our food offerings. That is 

 why I am making them. Many are the war-bundle o^^^lers who are 

 sitting here ; the lodge tent is full of them. I am thankful for it. I 

 am going to make you verj- tired; I am going to make you very 

 hungr\-; but I know j^ou never thought of that.^ You are thinking 

 only of our grandfathers, the spu'its, and that is why you have per- 

 mitted my lodge to become fUled up with people. It is good. AH 

 ye war-bundle owners who are seated here within, I greet you. I 

 am now going to pour tobacco." 



" This was omitted in the account as first obtained and was told afterwards. For tliis reason It partakes 

 more of a general description than of a detailed narrative. 



< Every buckskin is marked with a symbol sacred to the particular spirit to whom it is offered. 



^ It is one of the cardinal traits of Winnebago rituaUstic oratory that everything that the speaker does 

 is to be depreciated and that any honor or consideration shown to him by his guests is to be ascribed more 

 to a feeling of pity in their breasts than to bis worth. 



