dorskv.j POWERS OF CHIEFS AND OTHERS. 363 



as wag^sa for the tribal assembly, in which they had seats, but without 

 the right to joiu iu the deliberations. They were expected on such oc- 

 casions to attend to the fire, to bring in wood and water, and to super- 

 intend the boiling of the food for the feast, whenever one was given to 

 tbe assembly. (See § S.) 



§ 296. — Powers of the Keepers of the Sacred Pipes (see Chapter III).— 

 They could not joiu in the deliberation of the tribal assembly, though 

 no council could be opened without their assistance. (See§ 2S7.) 



§ 297. Powers of the Policemen. — When not traveling on the buffalo 

 hunt they acted as messengers for the chiefs. There were no special po- 

 licemen for each chief. They could strike any of the disobedient per- 

 sons, even when not ordered to do so by the principal chiefs. Such 

 disobedient ones were those who quarreled and fought, stole, or scared 

 off the buffalo. 



§ 298. Religion. — Beligion may be considered as not fully differentiated 

 from the government (see §§ 280 to 283). The chiefs are the religious 

 as well as the civil rulers of the state. A full account of the religion 

 of the Omahas cannot be given in this paper. It is connected with the 

 practice of medicine, mythology, war customs, gentile system, etc. 



