THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE 



127 



HADIGO n/ SA SHO n O', THE FALSE FACE COMPANY 



This organization is one of the better known societies of the Iro- 

 quois, and its rites have often been described, though not always 

 correctly interpreted. There are three divisions of the False Faces, 

 and four classes of masks — doorkeeper or doctor masks, dancing 

 masks, beggar masks, and secret masks. The beggar and thief 

 masks form no part of the paraphernalia of 

 the true society, and the secret masks are 

 never used in public ceremonies in the coun- 

 cil house at the midwinter ceremony. The 

 False Face ceremonies have been well de- 

 scribed, though by no means exhaustively, 

 by Morgan 1 and Boyle.' 2 The main features 

 are generally known. 



The paraphernalia of this society consist 

 of the masks previously mentioned, turtle- 

 shell rattles (snapping turtles only), hickory 

 bark rattles, head throws, a leader's pole 

 upon which is fastened a small husk face, a 

 small wooden false face, and a small turtle 

 rattle, and a tobacco basket. 



There are two Seneca legends setting 

 forth the origin of the False Faces, and three 

 with the Mohawk story. These stories, how- 

 ever, explain the origin of different classes 

 of masks. Each mask has a name. One 

 story relates that the False Faces originated with the Stone Gaints. 

 However this may be, the writer obtained in 1905, from a woman 

 claiming to be the keeper of the secret masks, a mask representing 

 the Stone Gaint's face. With it was a mask made of wood, over 

 which was stretched a rabbit skin stained with blood. This mask 

 was supposed to represent the face of a traitor as he would look 

 when drowned for his infamy. Chief Delos Kettle said it was used 

 to cure veneral diseases. 



There is some dispute as to the antiquity of the False Face Com- 

 pany. Doctor Beauchamp, in his History of the Iroquois, 3 says it is 

 comparatively recent. From a study of the Seneca society, how- 

 ever, the writer is inclined to believe that it is quite old with them, 



Fig. 5 Typical medicine mask 



1 Morgan, Fifth Annual Report New York State Cabinet (Museum), 1852, 

 P- 98. 



3 Boyle, Archaeological Report, Provincial Museum, Toronto, 1898, p. 157. 

 8 N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 78, p. 141. 



