CoH ASPoT, Biglvta Vel ae 
DAKOTA DANCES. 
The function of the dance among the Dakota may be stated as four- 
fold: First, amusement; secondly, gain; thirdly, superhuman help; and, 
fourthly, worship. ‘Two or more of these objects may be combined in one 
dance, but usually one idea is predominant. In a purely heathen Dakota 
camp there is always a great deal of drumming, some by day and more by 
night. This is a kind of practice and preparation for more important occa- 
sions as well as a nightly amusement for the young men. All dances have 
musical accompaniments. 
SINGING TO. 
There is one especially, which is called “ Adoway” and ‘““Wadowayn,” 
that is, Singing to or over. This is a begging dance. Sometimes it is 
called *Zitkaday pa adowan,” Singing over the heads of birds. A man 
gathers some beautiful woodpeckers’ heads and sings over them to another 
person. ‘They are a gift to that person, and, of course, the honorable deeds 
of that person are mentioned and his praises sung. In return a horse or 
something quite valuable is expected. It has been related to me that 
articles of clothing or other skins or curiously wrought pipes were, in years 
gone by, taken by the Dakota of Minnesota to the Missouri, and this cere- 
mony of singing over was practiced upon the heads of a man’s children, 
who, in return for the honor, gave several horses. 
BEGGING DANCE. 
sut the common begging dance, which was often seen among the 
eastern Dakota forty years ago, included a variety of fashionable dances, 
all of which were made for the purpose of begging. Sometimes it was 
called the buffalo dance, when the dancers made themselves look hideous 
by wearing the horns and long hair of that animal. Doubtless women 
alone could dance a begging dance, but all that I ever saw were of men 
alone. Dressed in their best clothes and painted in the most approved 
styles, with all their eagle’s feathers properly arranged in their heads, the 
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