278 



OMAHA SOCIOLOGY. 



Fig, 21 — Rattles used in the Pipe dance. 



the white men a piece of red blanket or Indian cloth has been .substituted. 

 Next to this are suspended the two "we^a"or eggs, which are two 

 hi n qpe\ or plumes of the eagle. But the Indians compare them to the 

 egg or to the eaglet in the egg, to which the adopted child is also likened. 

 The child is still immature; but by and by he will grow, and fly like 

 the eagle. Next are attached a number of eagle feathers. These are 

 secured by two cords, called the " inaca 11 ifaze £a n ," made of deer or an- 

 telope skin. 



Ou one pipe the eagle feathers are white, being those of a male eagle, 

 and the pipe-stem is dark blue. On the other, they are spotted black 

 and white, being those of a female eagle ; and the pipe-stem is dark blue. 



§ 122. There are two gourd 

 rattles, oue for each pi pe. Each 

 gourd is about five inches in 

 diameter. A handle is thrust 

 through the gourd, one end of 

 which projects about an inch 

 beyond the top of the gourd. 

 Blue stripes about half an inch 

 wide encircle each gourd; and two blue stripes crossing each other at 

 right angles extend half way around, terminating when they meet the 

 other stripe, which divides the gourd in two parts. Around the handle 

 is tied deer skin, antelope skin, or a piece of buffalo skin. The ^e-nexe, 

 or buffalo bladder, which is sent at first by the messenger, is painted 

 with three blue stripes, as on the gourd rattles. It is tied with a small, 

 fine piece of the skin of a deer or antelope, arranged so as to be opened 

 very easily and with the ends dangling a little. 1 " 



§ 123. When the pipes are rested against the 

 forked stick, the heads of the ducks are placed 

 next the ground. A short distance from the pipes 

 are two sticks connected with an ear of corn, which 

 is sacred. -It must be a perfect ear; the grains 

 must not be rough or shriveled. If grains are 

 wanting on oue row or side, the ear is rejected. 

 All the people eat the corn, so it is regarded as a 

 mother. (See-§ 1G3.) 

 These sticks are reddened with wase-jide-nika, or Indian red. The 

 longer stick, which is nearer the pipes, is stuck about four inches into 

 the ground, and projects a few inches above the ear of corn. The 

 other stick is fastened to the opposite side of the ear of corn ; the top 

 of it is on a line with the top of the ear, and the bottom extends a 

 short distance below the bottom of the ear, but it does not reach to 

 the ground. The ear of corn is held between the sticks by " jaha- 



FlG. 22— The Dakota style of 

 tobacco-pouch used by the 

 Omabas in the Pipe dance. 



111 This is the regular Omaha style. The above figure shows the Dakota style. 

 Oue of this kiud was given to Frank La Fleche by an Omaha to whom he bad given 

 a horse. 



