EADiNj THE CLAN WAK-BUNDLE FEASTS 485 



The Fast-Eating Contest"^ 



As soon as the meal is about ready and the host thinks that (the 

 food) in the kettle belonging to the first guest is about cooked and 

 when it is soft and just right, then the attendants take it and cut it 

 up. They do not leave any bones in it, nor do they leave any of the 

 hard parts. When they have prepared it, then the host rises and 

 speaks. 



' ' War-bundle owners who are seated here, I greet you. One of the 

 great ones belonging to the Bird clanj^" a member of the Thunderbird 

 clan, has called for a fast-eating contest. One of his followers will 

 represent them (i. e., their clan), he has told me. Now a member of 

 the Earth people, one of the Bear clan, must be selected "' for the 

 fast-eating contest, he said. As many of the Bird clan people as 

 there are present, they all will try to take from those of the Earth 

 people present the war honor (belonging to the fast eating). That is 

 why they have it, so that the Bird and the Earth clans may compete 

 for it,'* that they might take a war honor from one another." Then 

 both of the contestants took (the food) in front of the war bundle, 

 and they get ready for a fast-eating contest. Two wooden bowls with 

 exactly the same amoimt of food are placed in front of the war 

 bundle. Then the Thimderbird clansman, with a follower (taking) a 

 plate, sits down, and afterwards the Bear clansman, also with a fol- 

 lower, sits down. Now they hold themselves in readiness, the four 

 of them. The feasters now start playing on their flutes and begin 

 singing songs. The fast eaters (i. e., the contestants) start simul- 

 taneously. The upper people (phratry), the great ones, devour it 

 first and shout, striking their mouths. "Those with wings" have 

 large mouths. They can never be beaten in eating." The defeated 

 ones took the meat in their hands and ate it up and gave the war 

 whoop. The leaders of the Earth people said, "We have not been 

 beaten fairly, for the upper ones have greater mouths, so how could 

 they fail?" Thus the beaten ones said. Then they called for the 

 heads. That is all.'"" 



As soon as the host starts the eating song,'"' all the guests began 

 to eat at a moderate pace, then they try to eat fast because they 

 believe that it is an honor to be the first to have finished. 



9^ This detailed account was left out in the general description and inserted afterwards. For that reason 

 there may be a number of unnecessary repetitions. I have not tried to adjust this insert to the text proper, 

 but have preferred to place it just where my informant desired it. 



M This is a rather unusual appellation for the upper phratp". 



9" This is the regular name for the second of the two Winnebago phratries. 



98 This is only one of the ways in which these two phratries compete. 



99 Ritualistic name for the Bird clans. 



iw I believe it is considered correct form to permit the phratry to which the host belongs to win in this 

 contest. Those who win get the choicest pieces of the deer head. 

 I'Ji Neither the host nor any of those who belong to his band eat during the feast. 



