72 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



By this legend, the Iroquois know the origin of Je-gi-yah-goh-o- 

 a-noh, the Bird dance, which was brought by Jo-wiis 1 from the land 

 of the sky birds, and is the most prominent dance of the Iroquois. 

 It is celebrated at their New Year feast, and during its performance 

 the dancers imitate the motions of a bird, squatting low and moving 



The Bird Dance 



Arranged by Frank B. Converse, Newtown, 

 Cattaraugus Reservation 



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their bodies and heads as if picking the grains of corn which have 

 been scattered on the floor. 



This dance reminds the people of the law of Ga-do-jih, that the 

 Indian must nourish and care for the birds in the winter as well 

 as in the summer time. 



1 Jo-wiis is regarded as the founder of the Eagle Society. 



