512 PREHISTORIC VILLAGES IN TENNESSEE (ETH. ANN. 41 
each shed is divided into four parts. The front of each measures about forty 
feet, and open passages are left between. Each shed stands upon ground sloping 
forward, is open behind, and on its floor contains from 12 to 15 logs running 
parallel and intended for seats. The sheds or ttipa, lit. ‘‘scaffolds,’”’ are entered 
from behind; the space under the seats is reserved for the storage of objects 
needed during the celebration of the busk, which formerly lasted eight days, 
but is now in several towns reduced to six or even four days. 
The council house, rotunda, or tchuk6éfa ‘léko, where meetings were held only 
in winter and during bad weather, is built into the southern end of the western 
shed, and a road leads from its door to the square and fireplace, upon which the 
people often moved in file or procession. South of the southern shed is the 
tidshu or area surrounded by an earth wall, where games and dancing have full 
sway. In the town of Tukabatchi this area lies behind the western shed. The 
four logs which feed the sacred fire lie in the center of the square, and each in 
the direction toward one of the points of the compass. 
The sheds and partitions assigned to each of the gentes and divisions of the 
people vary greatly from town to town. Tadlua ‘liko, now the only busking 
town of the Hitchiti connection, disposes them, according to G. W. Stidham, in 
the following order: The western shed is assigned to the mfkalgi; the south shed 
to the tassikdyalgi, familiarly called boys; the east shed to the women and chil- 
dren; the north shed to the tastenakdlgi or ‘‘warriors.’”’ The details of the 
present diagram refer to the square of Kasi’hta town on the Deep Fork of Cana- 
dian River and were obtained from chief Ispahidshi, who is a native of that 
town and well acquainted with its present and earlier customs. 
Following his indications, the seats of the Kasif’hta square are occupied as 
follows during the busk festival: The western partition of the northern shed is 
held by the warriors or tusténdkis, the three others by the wild cat, fox, panther, 
and itamdlgi gentes. The front seat in the westernmost corner is oceupied by 
the hi ‘li opundya or war-speaker (%), who had to be consulted on war questions 
and military matters and has been compared to our “Secretary of War.’”’ The 
other seven front seats next to each partition pillar (+) are held by busk officials 
called Im4‘la, who had to act as masters of ceremonies. Two pots filled with 
miko-huyanidsha stand in front of the shed upon the area of the square. 
In the western shed one of the middle front seats is occupied by the town chief, 
or miko (2/), who among the Kasi’htas is always selected from the bear clan, 
or nokusdlgi. Immediately to the north of him sits the vice chief (+), who is 
elected from the bear clan also. Around and behind these dignitaries the men 
of the alligator and the fish gens are occupying seats. Three pots of black 
drink, ete., are placed in front of this shed. 
The western front seat of the southern shed is assigned to another dignitary, 
called Kési miko (@), selected from the beaver gens exclusively. He and the 
tdlua hiniha ‘l4ko, or ‘‘grand hiniha of the town,” who sits in the partition 
corner next to him (+), had the privilege of appointing another mfko in case 
of death or incapacity, provided the two agreed upon the same person. They 
tried by their most suggestive means of oratory to persuade him to accept the 
office; afterwards he was silently recognized as chief by the whole community. 
In the same shed are sitting, in succession from west to east, the men of the 
beaver, wind, ahalakdlgi, bird, and deer gens. Two pots stand in front of the 
southern shed. 
The eastern shed is not occupied by any officials, but reserved to women, chil- 
dren, and strangers. No medicine pots are placed in front of this shed. 
* * * * * * * 
After the participants have arrived and made themselves ready on the first 
day, the second day of the Kas{’hta busk becomes the great joyful day for young 
