Bowers] HIDATSA SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL ORGANIZATION 453 



Buflfalo Woman, who was living in the village, predicted that because of the 

 stranger's gambling successes, the village was in danger of starvation. She in- 

 formed the people that the gambler was Sun who planned to kill off the people. 

 If he won the arrows with bark on, he would win half of the village. If he won 

 the peeled arrows, he would get the other half. She told one of the buffalo bulls 

 that Moon was trying to help the people while Sun kept promising Moon a share 

 of the bodies when the village was destroyed. 



Buffalo Woman announced, "There is only one way to save the village. You 

 buffalo holy men should select four young men to put on the 'Walking with the 

 Daughter-in-law ceremony.' If they refuse, the village will be destroyed. Of 

 course, when you ask them, they will not know what it is and will hesitate. You 

 can tell them that I know how to perform the rites and will help them." 



At first the young men refused but at last one agreed, saying, "Since Sun is 

 trying to destroy the village, I will volunteer." 



Buffalo Woman replied, "You have made a wise decision. This is the only way 

 that we can win this game with Sun and save the people. You should have the man 

 with the arrows here. Sun has already won the first 10 arrows. Do not let him 

 out or he will gamble again and lose the last of his arrows. Then there is no 

 chance of saving the village." Then she taught the young men how to make the 

 vow, saying, "I am giving the ceremony for the Sun and all the different gods of 

 the universe. I will give a big feast and call you, my gods. I will let you take 

 my wives out." 



Buffalo Woman taught the young men how to erect the lodge with the door 

 to the south, saying, "Perhaps Sun won't come in right away. That will be my 

 chance to get him in for I will be at the side of the door. It may be that it will 

 take more than 4 days to get him in. When he steps in, I will seize him by the 

 ankles and say 'I want you, my grandfather' and then we will win the game. 

 Announce through the village that the people must build the lodge, for the warriors 

 from those 12 villages are on their way here to destroy our village. Have plenty 

 of dry sticks and three places for fires so the light will show over the entire world. 

 When the lights are bright, the old buffalo bull men will begin to take out the 

 women and Sun from outside will see what is going on. Have plenty of roasted 

 corn and other corn products. Then the gods will come from all directions to 

 eat, even though 5^ou cannot see them. When you want the women to walk with 

 your gods, the gods will not be seen but they will be there. There is another way 

 that I can help you. Moon will be there and I will ask him to invite Sun to the 

 feast so that he can walk with his daughter-in-law. I think Moon will do that. 

 When you are ready, have the older men go inside while the younger men stand 

 around outside. Distribute the food which will signify that you are feeding the 

 spirits from all directions." 



When night came, they took the food to the shelter. They had the feast and 

 the older men walked with their daughters-in-law. Moon tried to fool Sun, 

 saying, "Our son has promised us a big feast and we should be there" but Sun held 

 back and the ceremony broke up in the morning. 



The ceremony continued for another night. Sun and Moon came towards the 

 village where the ceremony was being held. Moon said, "All the different gods 

 were there last night. They had a good time eating and walking with their 

 daughters-in-law for I heard them talking about it" but Sun would not go beyond 

 the edge of the village that night. 



On the third night, Buffalo Woman went to Moon and said, "You should tell 

 Sun that his lover might go out with someone else if he is not here." This time 

 Sun came into the village and stood near the ceremonial lodge. 

 I710-195— 65— 30 



