344 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



right in certain clans. Each of these clans also had had its own 

 council, regulating tribal affairs. Two clans often met in council 

 on matters concerning themselves. 



The religious council is modern and has nothing to do with the 

 religious feasts. Strictly it is not a council, though the people are 

 summoned to attend. There is no discussion of any kind, but his 

 appointed successor, or other preacher, relates the revelation made 

 to the peace prophet over a century since. Each day, after this is 

 done, dances follow but only as a means of enjoyment. 



The condolence, or mourning council, commenced with the death 

 of the founders of the Iroquois League, and its twofold purpose is 

 to lament the dead and replace them with living chiefs. Properly 

 it gathers representatives of all the nations, but its work is execu- 

 tive, not that of consultation. It does not choose chiefs but instals 

 them. 



The ancient dead feast had some relation to this, and had many 

 remarkable features among the Hurons, which were soon laid aside 

 in New York. Yet the Iroquois formally mourned the deaths of 

 important persons in each nation, and the chiefs came as a body to 

 express sympathy and offer comfort. One and another spoke, but 

 no business appeared. The nation or the village alone had part 

 in this. 



The council for adoption is also treated here, varying much in 

 character. Adoption and the giving of a name might take place 

 in any civil council and was often attended with debate and cere- 

 mony. In important cases a general council might agree on the 

 name to be bestowed. In such case there would be a formal 

 announcement, without the ceremonies usual at other times. In 

 other cases a national council or a family would agree on the name, 

 and this would be bestowed with attendant speeches and songs. 

 Still further, any person might bestow a name and then the cere- 

 mony would vary with his taste. 



All these are considered as a class here because they have no 

 religious observances properly belonging to them, differing essenti- 

 ally from those festivals which embody acts of worship. They are 

 not all strictly councils, but have somewhat their character. 

 Morgan calls the most striking of those remaining a mourning 

 council. The Indians uniformly term it a condolence. Mourning 





