hoffman] CARVER ON THE CEREMONY 111 



case may be, in full communion and fellowship. The new members, in company with 

 the old, now go round the bower in single file, knocking members down promiscu- 

 ously by thrusting their medicine bags at them (plate xxxn. After continuing 

 this exercise for some time, refreshments are brought in, of which they all partake. 

 Dog's flesh is always a component part of the dish served on these occasions. After 

 partaking of the feast they generally continue the dance and other exercises for 

 several hours. The drum and rattle are the musical instruments used at this feast. 

 The most perfect order and decorum are observed throughout the entire ceremony. 

 The members of this society are remarkably strict in their attendance at this feast. 

 Nothing but sickness is admitted as an excuse for not complying with an invitation 

 to attend. Members sometimes travel 50 miles, aud even farther, to be present at a 

 feast when invited. 



The secret of the society is kept sacred. It is remarkable that neither want nor 

 a thirst for whisky will tempt the members of this society to part with their medi- 

 cine bags. 



Whether these medicine men possess the secret of mesmerism or magnetic influ- 

 ence, or whether the whole system is a humbug and imposition, is difficult to deter- 

 mine. A careful observation of the ceremonies of this order for six years has been 

 unable to detect the imposition, if there be one; and it is unreasonable to suppose 

 that an imposition of this character could be practiced for centuries without detec- 

 tion. There is no doubt that the tribe generally believe that their medicine men 

 possess great power. 1 



This ceremonial, which appears from all available evidence to have 

 been originally an Algonquian production, seems to have made its 

 impress upon the cult ceremonies of, or perhaps even to have been 

 adopted by, other tribes. When Carver 2 met with the Nando wessies 

 (Sioux), he " found that the nations to the westward of the Mississippi, 

 and on the borders of Lake Superior" still continued the "use of the 

 Pawwaw or Black dance," which partook of the character of the jug- 

 glers' performances, as he speaks of "the devil being raised in this 

 dance by the Indians." He next refers to the society of the u Wakon- 

 Kitchewah," or "Friendly Society of the Spirit," which is composed 

 of persons of both sexes, but such only as are of exceptional character, 

 and who receive the approbation of the whole body. His description 

 is sufficiently intelligible to show that the ceremonial was that of the 

 Algonquian medicine society, though it has been greatly perverted, 

 as practiced even in former times by the Ojibwa aud Menomini Indians. 

 The assemblage occurred at about 12 oclock, when the sun was near 

 the zenith, which they consider a good omen. The chiefs were dressed 

 in their best apparel, in long robes, aud painted. In the words of this 

 author — 



AVhen the assembly was seated aud silence proclaimed, one of the principal chiefs 

 arose, and in a short but masterly speech informed his audience of the occasion of 

 their meeting. He acquainted them that one of their young men wished to be 

 admitted into their society, and taking him by the hand presented him to their 

 view, asking them at the same time whether they had any objection to his becom- 

 ing one of their community. 



No objection being made, the young candidate was placed in the center aud four 

 of the chiefs took their stations close to him. After exhorting him by turns not to 



1 Schoolcraft, Inform. Ind. Tribes, pt. iii, Philadelphia. 1853, pp. 280-288, pi. xxxi. 

 ! Travels through the Interior Parts of North-America, London, 1778, p. 270 et seq. 



