Bowers] HIDATSA SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL ORGANIZATION 355 



While the Buffalo song was being sung, First Creator picked up the skull and 

 hooked it from side to side in imitation of the bull's approach to the village for 

 the first ceremony. 



A male and female elk, a male and female beaver, a male and female otter, and 

 a dog, traditionally attended the first ceremony but in succeeding ceremonies 

 they were represented by persons owning bundles in which these animals were the 

 principal characters. During the feast, a piece of dried meat was fed to the giver's 

 dog. The dog was represented, as dogs were believed to be related to the bears. 

 The bat was represented because it was believed to protect bear-bundle owners 

 during the night. The elk was said to have been the first to arrive when Brave- 

 While- Young gave the ceremony. Elk told Two Men that if they would permit 

 him to attend, the people could kill the elk on slippery ice to get their teeth. 

 Beaver came and promised the people long lives if they would drink water and 

 vomit out the bitter things in their stomach each morning while bathing. Otter 

 promised easy delivery for women at childbirth. 



The singer was assisted by the other sacred-bundle owners. The order of 

 singing was: Song to the male elk; song to the female elk; song to the male otter; 

 song to the female otter; song to the male beaver; song to the female beaver; song 

 to the bufi'alo bull. 



Whenever the Bufi'alo Bull song was being sung, one of the sacred-bundle 

 owners would pick up the buffalo skull and hook it from side to side and take the 

 goods piled on it for his pay. A whistle had been made from willow bark and 

 painted with alternating red and yellow stripes. This whistle was associated 

 with the elk and one owning one of these whistles was believed to have the super- 

 natural power to possess many wives. The clan father preparing the bundle 

 was expected to provide one of these whistles. Black Shield received his whistle 

 when the seven songs listed above were to be sung. 



After the songs to the elk, otter, beaver, and buffalo bull were sung, the singing 

 stopped for the feast consisting of meat and corn balls. First Creator imper- 

 sonator was the waiter. He offered food to the buffalo skull and bearskin first, 

 then passed food to the singer and bundle owners. Black Shield, his wife, and the 

 spectators were fed last. Old Mouse and a number of clan brothers who were 

 fasting for dreams did not eat. 



The Dance of the Female Bear came next. First Creator impersonator an- 

 nounced, "We are going to sing the Female Bear song. Any of you women who 

 know the Female Bear dance should get up and dance." 



Black Shield stood in front of the bearskin and each time a dancer passed him, 

 he gave her a corn ball until each dancer had four. Then the singing and dancing 

 stopped. 



First Creator impersonator put down a buffalo robe in front of the sweat lodge 

 and my father, Old- Woman-Crawling, placed the bearskin on it. Then the waiter 

 said to Black Shield's wife, "Come over and sit on the robe." 



She walked over, removed her dress, and pressed the bearskin to her naked 

 breast. This was known as becoming "granddaughter" to the bears. This she 

 did through her husband who was taking the bears as his gods. If he died, only 

 those with bear rights could take his place between the widow and the bear gods. 

 For that reason, unless a younger brother took up the Bear ceremonies, the widows 

 could not marry, for other men would be afraid of them. 



Then my father, Old- Woman-Crawling, and I went into the sweat lodge. My 

 father called, "We are ready now. Any of you who wish to may come in." 



The waiter carried the hide back to the west wall and took corn balls over to 

 the sweat lodge and set them down at the entrance, Old-Woman-Crawhng broke 

 up a corn ball and gave a piece to each person in the sweat lodge. He directed 



