Bowers] HIDATSA SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL ORGANIZATION 317 



Long Arm impersonator and the pledger were first to enter, followed 

 by the fasters. Usually all clans were represented but younger clan 

 brothers of the pledger were usually best represented since a certain 

 obligation was felt to help clansmen. There was no dancing the first 

 night, only the cries of the fasters seeking visions. Each had an 

 object from his father's sacred bundle, hoping that his father's gods 

 would send an appropriate dream. Younger fasters imitated their 

 older clansmen. Crying continued all night. Some would go out- 

 side beyond the limits of the village to cry, hoping to experience 

 visions there, and return to the ceremonial lodge in the morning. 



First day. — Although 1 day had been devoted to rites of erecting 

 the lodge and another to preparing the altar and performing the 

 "Cuts Hole in the Mouth" dance, this was all considered preliminary 

 to the main performance. The ceremony began with the arrival of 

 the 10 to 12 singers who were to dii-ect the singing. Individuals 

 desiring to qualify as singers received prior instructions and training 

 from the Long Arm impersonator whom they paid for their rights to 

 direct the singing and to receive pay from those fasting dm-ing the 

 ceremony. The recognized singers performed each time the ceremony 

 was performed. Long Arm impersonator, the pledger, and the fasters 

 remained at the shelter during the night. As soon as the people saw 

 the singers leaving for the shelter, they knew that the ceremony was 

 about to begin. The entire population gathered and stood around 

 the lodge to observe the practices; only menstruating women were 

 barred. 



As soon as the singers arrived, the Long Arm impersonator dressed 

 the pledger to represent Spring Boy. He led the pledger to the front 

 of the mounds where white clay which had been previously mixed 

 with water was ready for use.*^ Using dark sage as a brush. Long Arm 

 impersonator painted the pledger's entire body white, singing the 

 Painting song as he worked. Black paint was used to draw a new 

 moon on the forehead with the "horns" extending onto the cheeks. 

 The nose was painted black. A tanned leather apron was tied around 

 the pledger's waist and extended to his knees. Then his wrists were 

 painted black, an enemy's scalp was tied to his left wrist and a dried 

 human hand to his right. He wore a jackrabbit skin cap. A hoop 

 of willow wrapped with otterskin to look ornamental was tied on his 

 back; this hoop represented the Moon. Then his ankles were painted 

 black. All the equipment was prepared beforehand by the instructor 

 with the assistance of the Long Arm impersonator. Each faster 

 received an eagle wingbone whistle. 



« The white clay was secured from hills on the Knife River near the present town of Golden Valley. Long 

 Arm sent some young man out for the clay and gave him authority to use the clay for doctoring. It was 

 considered a high honor to be so selected. 



