Bowers] HIDATSA SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL ORGANIZATION 33 



took precedence and the owner of the Earthnaming bundle was his 

 representative in the village. As at Awatixa, special leaders were 

 selected when the occasion arose: directing the summer hunt, manag- 

 ing the winter camp, or traveling beyond the summer vUlage. Villages 

 were divided into four "wards" with a bundle owner, whose gods were 

 of the direction selected, serving as "protector of the people." The 

 Black Mouths were subordinate to the council of older men and policed 

 the village. 



The village council was of indefinite size, since elevation to mem- 

 bership was based on personal achievements and public acclaim. 

 Although it was composed chiefly of those who had passed the Black 

 Mouths in age, it was essentially a group of mature men. Since the 

 Black Mouths must be kept informed of council decisions, they 

 usually met together whenever any matters of great importance were 

 being discussed. It was the privilege of each person to speak, but 

 one's prestige was based chiefly on age and accomplishments; those 

 with mediocre records carried little influence. If a young man with 

 a good record presumed to influence the older men, they would 

 usually say to him: 



You are young; you have a good record. Do not assume responsibilities of 

 this kind too soon. If you seek to influence us, it may be that you are not ready. 

 Then you might "kick the stone." There is plenty of time. When you are 

 older and have demonstrated your abiUty in other things, the people will want 

 you to be their leader. In the meanwhile, be kind to the old and the very young; 

 be industrious and generous. Do not ask to be our leader. If you do all the 

 things that a chief must do, the people will ask you to help when they think you 

 are ready. 



The high respect for age indicated by the attitude of individuals 

 toward their older brothers and fathers, an organized age-group to the 

 next higher one, and the buying of sacred bundles from older people, 

 is expressed in the attitude of the people toward the councU. Nor- 

 mally, one's position and prestige in the council was slowly attained. 

 One who had distinguished himself in a chiefly way frequently did not 

 attend meetings until he was called in to render an opinion or to 

 assist in solving some difficult problem. Since to act as a group, all 

 sub-groups and households should have a voice in decisions, important 

 matters were frequently discussed for quite a time in order that all 

 households might have an opportunity to express an opinion. In the 

 organization of the council the "crier" or announcer held an honored 

 role comparable to that of "First Creator" in the ceremonies. He 

 announced meeting dates and the purpose of the meeting so that each 

 household could be adequately informed of the matters for discussion. 



It was the privilege of each household to send an older person to 

 express opinions. In the event that a number of related households 

 opposed the proposition, measures were taken to win their approval 



