DDNJG] 



THE ASSINIBOIN 489 



are very well clone and serve to increase their belief in the super- 

 natural powers of the divining men who perform them. On the 

 fourth day these sacrifices are taken down, destroyed in sucii manner 

 as to be of no use to anyone who finds them, and hung on different 

 trees or bushes in the neighborhood. The divining man who called 

 the meeting receives presents from a good many who attend, of 

 horses and other property, and it generally proves a good speculation 

 on his part. This is done but once a year and is their only form of 

 national worship. 



The common way in which sacrifices are made by individuals is 

 thus: The Indian takes some article of value alone into the hills 

 or woods, lights the pipe, and invokes the aid of Wakonda in 

 whatever he desires to succeed, promising a repetition on a certain 

 time. 18 This article is then damaged or destroyed and left there. 

 After this he returns to his lodge, kills a dog, makes a feast, and 

 invites his neighbors, by whom the flesh is eaten and small portions 

 thrown on the ground as a respect to Wakonda. It does not 

 appear, however, that the killing and eating of the animal is con- 

 sidered as part of the sacrifice further than to add to the importance 

 of the ceremony. 



A feast of corn, flour, or berries is as often used on these occasions 

 as animal flesh. The article sacrificed must be something of value, 

 must have caused the Indian some trouble or expense to procure; 

 otherwise it is of no avail. On one occasion an Indian bought at this 

 place the following three articles at the price of six buffalo robes, 

 viz, two kettle covers, a ball that had been shot out of a gun, and 

 a chew of tobacco that had been thrown away. Now, although he 

 could have procured any of these articles for nothing in his own 

 camp, yet according to his promise to Wakonda he was obliged to 

 pay a high price and to travel a long distance to procure them. 



Every warrior or man of family among them makes these sacrifices 

 whenever he feels disposed, or their promises to Wakonda become 

 due, and if they do not fulfill these promises or neglect these 

 ceremonies they are punished, or at least any accident, loss, or failure 

 would be attributed to this cause, that could not be accounted for 

 by any other. Another mode resorted to of propitiating the anger 

 of Wakonda or securing his aid is fasting and cutting their 

 bodies. This is not much practiced by the Assiniboin except for 

 success in war. 



Several principal warriors will lie out in the cold, rain, or snow 

 for three or four days and nights, without eating, drinking, 

 smoking, or speaking, making internal prayers to Wakonda to aid 



18 This fetish or amulet is also exposed aud smoked to as a medium for his prayer to 

 "■each the Great Medicine. 



88253°— 30 32 



