cuLIN] HOOP AND POLE: DAKOTA 507 
Another hoop, also 114 inches in diameter, the thong passing around 
the edge thirty-five times. Both hoops have the edge and the 
thong net smeared with red paint. 
A forked stick (figure 672), consisting of a peeled sapling, +6 inches 
in length, painted red, with a feather tied at the ends of the forks. 
The specimens just described are implements for the game of the 
buckskin hoop, tahuka cangleska, and were collected by Mr Louis L. 
Meeker," who describes the game as follows: 
Played with several small hoops about a foot in diameter, woven with buck- 
skin thongs with one opening more prominent than the rest, intended to be in 
the center, called the “ heart” [figure 671]. The game is to thrust a small spear 
[figure 672], with a fork at one end to admit the top of the forefinger, through 
the “ heart”? as the hoop is rolled by or flung into the air. When one succeeds, 
he chases the one who threw the hoop, and endeavors to hit him with it. The 
one who oftenest pierces the “ heart” wins. This is said to be a Cheyenne game 
played, like the other hoop games, only at the annual summer gatherings, camp 
against camp, from morning until a ecrier calls noon, when the victorious camp 
is feasted by the losers and the individual victor adorned with the hair orna- 
ment, good for one year. 
The writer has not witnessed the game played in this way, a rain preventing 
when arrangements were made. The following, however, played by large boys 
and young men, he has seen as many as fifty times: Two forked sticks, about 4 
feet high, to represent men, were set up 30 or 40 paces apart. A prop was 
placed across, from one foot to the other, both to make them stand erect and 
to make them easier marks. 
Properly, the forks should not be more than an inch or so in diameter at the 
point and should be split up for a few inches, with a cross stick in the splits, 
so as to make four points come in contact with the ground and a stick for the 
hoop to strike, if it rolls under. 
Two companies, stationed a very little in front and a little to one side of 
each “man,” take turns rolling the hoops by throwing them against the ground 
to make them roll towards the “man” on the opposite side, the players of which 
defend their “man” by thrusting their spears through the rolling hoops. 
The side is victorious that oftenest knocks down the “ man.’ The player is 
victorious who oftenest pierces the heart of the hoop, so the victorious player 
may not be on the victorious side. My informants do not count this game with 
their regular hoop games, nor take any pride in the buckskin hoop generally. 
It was contributed by a full-blood Lakota, but definite knowledge of the manner 
of playing can not be obtained here. 
The name tahuka cangleska means “neck hoop” rather than * deerskin hoop,” 
though it may have the latter meaning, as my informants affirm. 
Women say taoga cangleska instead of tahuka cangleska. This would mean 
“web-hoop” game and make it sacred to Inktomi (the Spider). Women’s 
speech is somewhat different from men’s. 
The makers of the hoops for the hoop games are not selected at random. 
White-buffalo-cow River, Pte-sa Wakpa, makes hoops for the “ buffalo game.” 
Red Hoop, Cangleska luta, makes the hair-ornament hoop. 
The hoops sent herewith were made by these men and by Crazy Horse, 
Ta-sunk-witko, brother of the desperado Crazy Horse who lost his life while a 
prisoner some years ago. 
*Ogalala Games. Bulletin of the Free Museum of Science and Art, y. 3, p. 27, Phila- 
delphia, 1901. 
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