758 BUREAU OP AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull 137 



the spectators do not neglect their business in working the loblolly-ix)ts, and 

 the other meat that was brought thither; more or less of them being continu- 

 ally eating, whilst the others were dancing. When the dancing was ended, 

 every youth that was so disposed catched hold of the girl he liked best, and 

 took her that night for his bed fellow, making as short courtship and expedi- 

 tious weddings, as the foot guards used to do with the trulls in Salisbury 

 court. (Lawson, 1860, pp. 68-71.) 



Short descriptions of some ceremonies which seem to have been 

 performed by the Siouan Indians of South Carolina are supplied by 

 Peter Martyr on the authority of an Indian of that region, and they 

 are of particular interest owing to the early date of the information, 

 1520-30. Speaking of the palace of a gigantic chief called Datha who 

 ruled in a province known as Duhare, he says: 



In the courtyard of this palace, the Spaniards found two idols as large as a 

 three-year-old child, one male and one female. These idols are both called 

 Inamahari, and had their residence in the palace. Twice each year they are 

 exhibited, the first time at the sowing season, when they are invoked to obtain 

 successful results for their labors. We will speak later of the harvest. Thanks- 

 givings are offered to them if the crops are good ; in the contrary case they are 

 implored to show themselves more favorable the following year. 



The idols are carried in procession amidst much pomp, accompanied by the 

 entire people. It will not be useless to describe this ceremony. On the eve 

 of the festival the king has his bed made in the room where the idols stand, 

 and sleeps in their presence. At daybreak the people assemble, and the king 

 himself carries these idols, hugging them to his breast, to the top of his palace, 

 where he exhibits them to the people. He and they are saluted with respect and 

 fear by the people, who fall upon their knees or throw themselves on the 

 ground with loud shouts. The king then descends and hangs the idols, draped 

 in artistically worked cotton stuffs, upon the breasts of two venerable men of 

 authority. They are, moreover, adorned with feather mantles of various colors, 

 and are thus carried escorted with hymns and songs into the country, while 

 the girls and young men dance and leap. Anyone who stopped in his hbuse or 

 absented himself during the procession would be suspected of heresy ; and not 

 only the absent, but likewise any who took part in the ceremony carelessly 

 and without observing the ritual. The men escort the idols during the day, 

 while during the night the women watch over them, lavishing upon thfem 

 demonstrations of joy and respect. The next day they are carried back to the 

 palace with the same ceremonies with which they were taken out. If the 

 sacrifice is accomplished with devotion and in conformity with the ritual, the 

 Indians believe they will obtain rich crops, bodily health, i)eace, or if they 

 are about to fight, victory, from these idols. Thick cakes, similar to those 

 the ancients made from flour, are offered to them. The natives are convinced 

 that their prayers for harvests will be heard, especially if the cakes are mixed 

 with tears. 



Another feast is celebrated every year when a roughly carved wooden 

 statue is carried into the country and fixed upon a high pole planted in the 

 ground. This first pole is surrounded by similar ones, upon which people hang 

 gifts for the gods, each one according to his means. At nightfall the principal 

 citizens divide these offerings among themselves, just as the priests do with the 

 cakes and other offerings given them by the women. Whoever offers the 

 divinity the most valuable presents is the most honored. Witnesses are present 



