DBNIQ] THE ASSINIBOIU 557 



youths, from their being always publicly exhibited, and from their 

 natural talent of imitation, but they do not join in the circle until 

 at the age of maturity, except a few girls in the scalp dance. Each 

 one of these performances has some motive independent of amuse- 

 ment, as "will perhaps appear from the different descriptions of 

 them which follow, and are to them often matters of deep interest 

 and importance. 



Scalp Dance (Wah-kittai Wache). — When a scalp is taken it is 

 during the return stretched on a small hoop, and left in this manner; 

 the hoop is attached to the end of a rod about 5 feet long. These 

 are handed b} r the warriors on arrival to those in camp who have 

 recently had some of their relatives killed by enemies and is an 

 intimation that revenge for the dead having been taken, their mourn- 

 ing must be laid aside, their faces blackened, and they to rejoice with 

 the others in the dance, which is always done. Moreover, this mark 

 of politeness on the part of the warrior to those in mourning is always 

 remunerated by a suitable present — a gun, a blanket, or some other 

 piece of property. Often a horse is bestowed in the excitement of the 

 moment. The dance is then called by an old man going round the 

 camp singing the song and beating a drum, calling on all who feel 

 disposed to join in celebrating their triumph by a dance, and each 

 one makes the necessary preparations. (PI. 71.) 



Both men and women paint their faces entirely black, except the 

 tip end of the nose, which is not touched, dress in the gaudiest and 

 best style they can afford, and at a signal by the yelling and drum- 

 ming of the music assemble in the area or public square with which 

 most villages are furnished, being an open space in the center of the 

 camp, near the soldiers' lodge. In this dance the men carry no 

 arms of any kind. Some of them have in their hands a rattle with 

 which they keep time, but most of the women hold in their right 

 hand some weapon, such as a tomahawk, bow, pakam;igan, lance, or 

 stick. The scalps also are held by the females. Being attached 

 to the rod, they are shaken up and down to the taps of the drums. 

 When ready they form nearly a circle. Old men with drums come 

 first, next all the rest of the male dancers, and afterwards the woin»n, 

 the whole ring standing so close as to press a little against each 

 other, and the scalp rods, and other things held in the hand, are 

 extended out a little in front. 



The scalp song is now struck up by the music, and joined in by 

 the whole circle, the women singing only in the second part of the 

 tune. In this song the name of the warrior who has killed the 

 enemy is introduced, with a few words alluding to the circumstances, 

 though without any violation of the tune or time. The part of the 

 tune at which the women commence is when the names or words are 



