488 TEIBES OF THE TJPrER MISSOTJP.I [eth. an.n. 46 



tilings depend upon themselves, but success or defeat would be, as 

 that is beyond their power or knowledge when they start to war. 

 Consequently, a successful warrior or leader is always said to be 

 Wah-con or divine — that is, one who has by some means secured 

 the aid of Wakonda. Natural phenomena unattended by either 

 good or evil results would pass by unnoticed, but destructive tor- 

 nadoes, deaths by lightning, by diseases such as apoplexy or un- 

 accountable accidents would be regarded as His special acts. Eclipses, 

 thunder, and lightning are warnings, and to these sacrifices are made 

 with the view of averting the danger intimated, yet unknown. From 

 this dread of unaccountable evil arises their repugnance to talk on 

 the subject. To do so would lay open their secrets of apprehensions, 

 of sacrifices, and might, they think, by levity produce the evil they 

 wish to avoid or a counterpoise of sacrifice on the part of some one 

 else render theirs unavailing. 



For the further explanation of this subject it will be proper to state 

 some of their sacrifices and ceremonies so that a minute survey of 

 the operations of their minds can be realized. The greatest public 

 or national ceremony of the Assiniboin is the Sacred Lodge. The 

 time for this is appointed by some divining man of known repute 

 and invitations are sent to the different camps to attend. Lodges 

 are placed in the form of a long tent by posts planted a few yards 

 apart and others transversely, over which are stretched many lodge 

 skins to form one building about 100 yards long and 5 or 6 yards 

 wide. To these transverse poles are tied all offerings to Wakonda, 

 though principally to the Sun and Thunder. These offerings 

 consist of skins of value, different kinds of cloth, beads, kettles, 

 and an}' new articles the donator can afford and is willing to sacri- 

 fice, in proportionate value as their wishes to effect some object or 

 to avoid some danger they apprehend exists. A mast about 40 feet 

 high is raised in front of the building and the raising of this re- 

 quires the presence of all the men and women, who all the time sing 

 a kind of hymn or tune, though no words are used in it. This 

 mast is painted and decked out very gaily. All are dressed in their 

 very best raiment and the whole presents a lively and interesting 

 appearance. The divining man who called the meeting on the first 

 day goes through many prayers and ceremonies with the pipe, the 

 tenor of which are invocations for general health and success both 

 in war and the chase, and for the avoiding of any and all unknown 

 evil or' accidents. 



The second day is devoted to dancing and feasting on the very best 

 they can produce, and this is the only dance among them except the 

 scalp dance where men and women dance together. On the third 

 day is exhibited feats of sleight of hand and tricks, some of which 



