THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE II9 



DEWAN0NDIISS0"DAIK'TA', pygmy SOCIETY, THE DARK DANCE 



CEREMONY 



The ritual of this society consists of 102 songs, divided into four 

 sections, as follows: The lirst section, 15 songs; the second, 2^ 

 songs; the third, 30 songs, and the fourth, 34 songs. The order of 

 the ceremony is somewhat like that of the Medicine Company. All 

 the songs are sung in darkness. It is believed that the spirit mem- 

 bers of the society come and join in the singing, and their voices 

 are thought to be audible at times. 



The water drum and the horn rattle are used in this ceremony 

 for keeping time. There is a brief dance. The Dark ceremony is 

 designed to appease certain spirits and to procure the good offices of 

 others. Meetings are called at any time for the purpose of appeas- 

 ing the spirits of certain charms that have become impotent or which 

 may become so, or are called by members and even by nonmembers 

 who are troubled by certain signs and sounds, such as the drum- 

 ming of the water fairies or stone throwers, pygmies, who by their 

 signs signify their desire for a ceremony. Nonmembers become 

 members by asking for the services of the society. The rites are 

 preeminently the religion of the '' little folk " whose good will is 

 sought by all Indians living under the influence of the Ongwe''- 

 ofiw^e'ka', Indian belief. The Pygmies are thought to be " next to 

 the people '' in importance, and to be very powerful beings. They 

 demand proper attention or they will inflict punishment upon those 

 who neglect them. This society, however, '* sings for " all the 

 " medicine charms " and all the magic animals. These magic ani- 

 mals are members of the society, and in order of their importance 

 are: Jo^ga'o'^, Elves or Pygmies; Jodi'^gwado"', the Great Horned 

 Serpent ; Shondowek'ow-a, the Blue Panther, the herald of 

 death; Dewutiowa'is, the Exploding Wren. Other members, equal 

 in rank, are : Diatdagwut', White Beaver ; O'nowaot'gont, or 

 Gane'^onttwut, the Corn-bug; Otna'yont, Sharp-legs; O'wai'ta, 

 Eittle Dry Hand ; Dagwun'noyaent, Wind Spirit, and Nia'^gwahe, 

 Tireat Naked Bear. 



These charm-members are called Ho'tcine'gada. Hie charms or 

 parts of these members, which the human members keep and sing 

 for, are : none of the first two, ])ecause they are very sacred and 

 " use their minds " only for charms ; panther's claw ; feathers ; white 

 beaver's castor ; corn-bug dried ; bone of sharp-legs ; dry hand ; hair 

 of the wind, and bones of Nia"gw^ahe. Some of these charms bring 

 evil to the owners, but must not be destroyed under any circum- 



