CHAPTER XV. 



Tribes and Bands — Fabulous Legends — Wit — Ninnegahe or 

 mixed tobacco—Dances — Otoes — Migrations — Language. 



The Omawhaw nation is divided into two principal sec- 

 tions or tribes, which are distinguished by the names Hon- 

 ga-sha-no and Ish-ta- sun-da; the latter means Gray Eyes. 



The first mentioned tribe, is sub-divided into eight bands, 

 viz: 



1. Wase-ish-ta. This band is interdicted from eating the 

 flesh of male deer or male elk, in consequence of having their 

 great medicine, which is a large shell, enveloped in the 

 prepared skin of those animals. The chief of this band is 

 the Big-Elk, Ongpatungah; and it is more powerful and 

 numerous in individuals, than either of the others. 



The shell, which is regarded as an object of great sanctitv 

 and superstitious reverence, by the whole nation, has been 

 transmitted from the ancestry of this band, and its origin is 

 unknown. A skin lodge or temple is appropriated for its pre- 

 servation, in which a person constantly resides, charged with 

 the care of it, and appointed its guard. It is placed upon a 

 stand, and is never suffered to touch the earth. It is con- 

 cealed from the sight by several envelops, which are com- 

 posed of strands of the proper skins, plaited and joined to- 

 gether in the form of a mat. The whole constitutes a parcel 

 of considerable size, from which various articles are sus- 

 pended, such as tobacco and roots of certain plants. 



No person dares to open all the coverings of this sacred 

 deposit, in order to expose the shell to view. Tradition in- 

 forms them, that curiosity induced three different persons to 



