6JUTU.J ^ NEW- V EAR FESTIVAL. 113 



firm a "holy raeoting," the order of which is as follows: A bench or 

 table is ])laced ia the center of the circle of chiefs, upon which are placed 

 their strings of Indian wampum. One then rises and makes a long 

 speech, in which he introduces the sayings, maxims, and teachings o ' 

 Hiiiidsome Lake, who, nearly a century ago, introduced a new form into 

 tlie Seneca religion. Speeches of this kind occupy four days. On the 

 fifth day the principal chiefs, taking hold of the wampum, say: "1 put 

 all ujv words in this wampum"; "I have been drunk"; or, "I have 

 sinned," &c. On the sixth day the warriors go through the same form 

 of confession. On the following day the chiefs pass the wampum around 

 among the assembly. 



At the conclusion of this portion of their ceremonies the U-stu-a-gu- 

 uii, or feather dance, sometimes called the dance of peace, is per- 

 formed. For this there is a particular costume, by which it rrust always 

 be accompanied. The dance is simple. Two men are chosen to stand 

 in the center and are encircled by dancers. 



After this dance the clans are divided for the games as follows : 



Bear ] C Wolf. 



Deer ! ,. Beaver. 



Eel \ '-'^^^"^^ 1 Snipe. 

 Hawk 3 (Turtle. 



The clans thus divided hold their feasts in separate houses, even 

 although husband and wife be divided. On the fourth day each ot 

 these divisions, singing a chant, repairs to the Council House. Tbe 

 gambling then commences and continues three more days. The gam- 

 bling and betting concluded, two Indians, costumed as medicine men, run 

 into all the houses, and raking up the ashes call on all to repair to the 

 Council House. In the evening of this day begins the "scaring of 

 witches"; speeches are made; Indian songs or chants are sung the 

 while an old man or woman enters, appearing to wish or search for 

 something, the assembly guessing at the object desired. Should the guess 

 be correct, a reply of "thank you " is made. He or she receives it, and 

 as a return proceeds to dance. 



On the following evening a number of Indians in frigbtful costumes 

 enter on their knees, yelling and groaning. Shaking their rattles, they 

 proceed to the council fire, where they stir up the ashes. The chiefs 

 then present to them Indian tobacco, and they are commanded to per- 

 form all the errands and act as the messengers for the evening. 



On this same evening it is given forth that on the ensuing day, at a 

 given hour, the white dog will be roasted. For this purpose a perfectly 

 pure, unblemished white dog is selected, and five young men of the most 

 spotless reputation are chosen to kill the dog, around whose neck two 

 ropes are fastened, and the young men then pull the ropes till the dog 

 is strangled. When dead it is presented to the victorious gambling party, 

 who proceed to comb out its hair carefully with teasels. It is then dec- 

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