270 OMAHA DWELLINGS, FURNITURE, ETC. [eth. as>-. 13 



the Kausa Indians, lie occupied a lodge in wliicli twelve of these posts 

 placed in a circle formed the outer series, and eight longer ones con- 

 stituted the inner series, also describing a circle. The wall was 

 formed by setting upright slabs of wood back of the outer posts all 

 around the circumference of the lodge. These slabs were not over 6 

 feet in height, and their tops met the cross timbers on which the willow 

 posts rested. Stocks of hard willow about 2 inches in diameter rested 

 with their butts on the tops of the upright slabs and extended ou the 

 cross timbers nearly to the summit. These poles were very numerous, 

 touching one another and extending all around in a radiating manner, 

 supporting the roof like rafters. The rafters were covered with grass 

 about a foot thick; and over the whole lodge, including the sides or 

 slabs, earth was piled from a foot to 2 feet in depth. Such a covering 

 lasted generally about twenty years. A hole in the middle served as an 

 exit for the smoke. 



Fig. 306. — Yellow Smoke's eartb lodge. 



, III addition to the lodge proper there was a covered way about 10 feet 

 long and 5 feet wide, the entrance to which had a covering of tanned or 

 dried buftalo hides. This covering consisted of two hides hanging 

 side by side, with the inner borders slightly overlapiiing. They were 

 fastened to the passageway at tho top and at the outer sides, but were 

 loose at the bottom where they overlapped. This part was raised by a 

 per.son entering the lodge. A similar covering was ])laced at the inte- 

 rior end of the jiassageway. 



Subsequently to 1855, the Omaha dwelt in three villages composed of 

 earth lodges, as follows: (1) Biku'de, a village near the agency; (2) 

 Windja'ge, Standing Hawk's village, near the Presbyterian mission 

 house; and (3) Ja"fa'te ("Wood Eaters," named after an insect found 



