NO. I SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I919 "JJ 



son of a chief served with the heavy artillery in a responsible position, 

 and wherever opportunity offered, they seemed to have made a 

 creditable record. All appeared to be in the best of health. A mem- 

 ber of the tribe said he " believed this was because the people had 

 prayed for them, both in private and at all their public gatherings." 

 The first victory dance was the occasion of the public rejoicing of 

 the women of the tribe, especially those whose relatives had been 

 in the war. This was similar to the scalp dances of the old times, and 

 about 40 women were in the dancing circle. War trophies were car- 

 ried aloft on poles, as scalps were formerly carried. In accordance 

 with old custom the soldiers presented their trophies to their nearest 

 kinswomen. One woman held a pole wnth a long knife fastened at 

 the end like the head of a spear, while below the knife was hung the 

 metal helmet which, with the knife, was taken from the enemy by her 

 son. As the women danced they lifted their trophies high in the 

 air, and expressed their enthusiasm in shrill cries. It was a scene of 

 free, native rejoicing. Miss Densmore w^as the only white person 

 present. Many w^ar songs were sung, former deeds of valor were 

 related by the old warriors and the dancing continued for several 

 hours. The Pawnee are an emotional people, and some of the older 

 members of the tribe lamented with sobs and crying the diminution 

 of the tribe and the passing of the old ways. 



The second victory dance took place several days later and was 

 entirely different in character. Many spectators attended, and the 

 l)uilding w^as crow^ded to its utmost capacity. At this dance the 

 returned soldiers were the principal interest, many appearing in 

 native costume and dancing the war dance. One such young man 

 told ]\Iiss Densmore that he had been at a government school prac- 

 tically all his life and never before had joined in a native dance. The 

 gathering opened with an impressive native ceremony, then speeches 

 were made by the chiefs of the bands, gifts were given and received 

 in a ceremonial manner, and the son of a chief was adopted by a 

 prominent member of the tribe, receiving an old and honored name. 

 The young man went through the simple ceremony with quiet dignity, 

 wearing the khaki uniform in which he had served in Europe. Once 

 the space around the entrance was cleared and a woman led in a 

 white horse, presenting it to a soldier ; later a pair of white horses 

 were similarly presented. An interesting little drama was the " con- 

 soling " of the parents of the young man who died in France. 



The singing at the victory dances was characterized by songs with 

 words concerning the recent war, including mention of airplanes. 



