96 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [eth.ann.U 



When the ceremony of smoking was concluded, the lowest in rank of 

 the first group of four medicine men, Nio'pet, began to tap the drum, 

 whereupon his three companions took up the rattles; all four now 

 arose, and as they began to drum and chant the candidate fell in 

 behind the medicine men. The procession then moved slowly along 

 the right or northern side of the iuclosure, followed by the second 

 group of four medicine men, and finally, also, by the third set, who 

 had been seated on the southern side. The singer chanted a song, of 

 which the following is a translation: 



"The time has now come for us to teach our brother how to secure 

 life. He has been waiting a long time. He has been liberal in giving 

 presents to the Mita'wit, as Ma'nabush taught us to do." 



These words were repeated in short sentences, which prolonged the 

 song considerably. At each end of a phrase were added a few pro- 

 longed musical tones, meaningless but effective, which also added to the 

 apparent waste of time. This, however, is purposely done to empha- 

 size the importance of the ceremonial. 



By the time the song was ended the procession had gone round the 

 iuclosure four times. All then took seats, when the drum was passed 

 to the second group of four medicine men, one of whom, remaining 

 seated, then drummed and chanted, beiug accompanied by rattles in 

 the hands of his associates. The candidate then approached the 

 singer and was surrounded by his friends to the number of twelve or 

 fifteen. The words of the song related to the duty of a medicine man 

 in always following the proper course in life, not to diverge from what 

 is right, and never under any circumstance to discard the teachings of 

 the Mita'wit. 



Again the candidate and his friends returned to their seats, while 

 the drum was carried by the usher to the third group of medicine men, 

 seated on the opposite or southern side of the inclosure. They, in 

 regular order, used the drum and chanted, reciting personal exploits in 

 shainauistic practices and boasting of their powers in exorcism, and 

 the value and efficacy of plants employed by them in certain specified 

 affections. At each chant the candidate approached the singer and 

 stood reverentially before him until the song was ended, when he 

 returned to his seat. Finally, the drum was returned to the chief group 

 of medicine men, the chief officiating one then announcing that the 

 coming portion of the ceremonies would be of an especially important 

 and sacred character, and at the same time reminded his associates 

 that care and deliberation should be exercised in the performance of 

 their duties and services. As other announcements of interest to the 

 members may be made at this stage of the ceremonies, Shu'nien 

 informed the late arrivals of the purpose of my admission into the 

 society. He also stated that several well known members who were 

 jugglers, or tshi'saqka, would perform tricks to impress the audience 

 with the powers possessed by these men. 



