534 THE WINNEBAGO TRIBE [eth. ann. 37 



wraps it up, and hangs it behind him in the lodge, but he keeps the 

 flute unpacked. When all but the last four songs have been finished 

 he calls upon some one who has a rather strong voice to give the 

 war whoop, which lie does, at the end of the song. This war whoop 

 is given so that all the spirits might hear it. When he is through all 

 the other guests give war whoops four times, and the feast is over. 



The War-bundle Feast of the Thtjnderbird Clan 



(third version) 



Informant, member of the Thunderbird clan: When the feast is 

 ready, the buckskin prepared, and the kettles of meat put on to boil, 

 then the host rises and says as follows: 



"Warriors and sons of warriors who are present here, I greet you 

 all. You have put aside aU the wrongs I have done you and ac- 

 cepted my invitation. I am glad of it. You have filled my lodge. 

 It is good. Our four great ancestral fathers were all warriors. The 

 oldest one was called Whirling-Four, the second one Sitting-Chief, 

 the third one Wabanansaka, and the fourth one Kills- Within-Lodge. 

 When in battle. Kills- Withm-Lodge was buUet-proof. He used to 

 wear a belt which when full of shot he would loosen and his blanket- 

 belt would be full of buUets. He is the one that made this bundle. 

 With it one can obtain victory and blessings. 



"The blessing we ask of you is war; for ourselves and for all who 

 are present. We have offered kettles to all the spirits and we will 

 also pour tobacco for them. This is why I am speaking to you, 

 warriors, and you taking the place of the spirits. All in this lodge 

 I greet. I greet you all." 



He takes tobacco and gives some to each of those who have been 

 especially invited. Then he goes to the fireplace and throws some 

 tobacco into the fire, saying: "Here it is. Here it is. To you 

 who stand in the center of the lodge, to you I offer tobacco. You 

 encouraged us to beheve that when we call upon some of your fellow- 

 spirits, it would be only necessary to put tobacco upon your head, 

 and that you would deliver the message. 



"This is the first blessuig we ask — namely, that oux weapons 

 and not those of our enemies be made sharp. And if in a vision we 

 be directed to go on the warpath, may we receive the complete 

 blessing, even though we be m the midst of the battle. Therefore 

 do we lay all these birdskins that are used in war here in the center 

 of our lodge. We pray that if we use one of them we will be able 

 to avoid danger and that we be granted long life. For that reason, 

 grandfather. Fire, do 1 pour tobacco to you. Here it is. Here 

 it is. 



