Songs, Dances, and Ceremonies 159 



THE HUNTING OF MISHI-MOKWA THE BIG BEAR 



Any number of hunters up to twenty can take part in 

 this game. Each one is armed with a war club. This is 

 made of straw tied around two or three willow switches, and 

 tightly sewn up in burlap. It should be about three feet 

 long, one inch thick at the handle, and three or four inches 

 through at the top. 



Each hunter must make a wooden claw two inches long 

 (see Cut*) and a wooden bead three quarters of an inch long. 

 The bead is usually a piece of elder with the pith pushed 

 out. The claw is painted black toward the base. The 

 tip is left the natural color of the wood. The bead is 

 painted red. These beads and claws are strung alternately 

 to form a necklace. There should be twenty in each. 

 Finally, a toy balloon is blown up tight and put in a 

 small bag; this is the bear's heart. 



Now select a bear. Take the biggest, if several offer. 

 He may be made realistic with wool or fur. Put the neck- 

 lace on him; strap the bag on his back; then give him a 

 club, also three dens or mountains about one hundred 

 yards apart. 



First, the Big Bear comes in and addresses the audience: 



"I am fearless Mishi-Mokwa, 

 I, the mighty Mountain Grizzly, 

 King of all the Western prairies. 

 When the roving bands of Indians 

 Come into my own dominion 

 I will slay as I have slain them. 

 They shall not invade my country. 

 I despise those puny creatures." 



Then he stalks off to his den. 



•For cuts and details, see p. 287 among the games 



