THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 149 



of moving their encampments several times in the course of the summer, following 

 tho ranges of the herds of buffalos to make their hunting successful, and whenever 

 they halt upon a ground for the establishment of their village, the doctor, or mystery 

 man, regularly, and in due form, walks on to the ground, and having designated the 

 spot for each wigwam, invokes the favor and protection of the Great Spirit by throw- 

 ing tobacco on to the ground designated for each wigwam ; after which the women 

 appear upon the ground, and in a few moments, with " masterly hands," raise them 

 up and furnish their interiors and light the fires, whilst the men sit upon the ground 

 in a circle, deliberately smoking their pipes. 



This ceremony will be observed on each day of the encampment, and also at even- 

 ing, the striking of their tents by lowering them down and packing them up, which is 

 equally done by the women, whilst their lords are taking another smoke of the pipe. 

 Amusements. — All Indian tribes in America practice numerous amusements, and 

 in many instances become exceedingly expert. The lifetimes of idleness and leisure 

 which they all lead invite them to many and almost constant games for amusement 

 and wholesome exercise, which they require. The Ioways have come prepared with 

 all the implements and qualifications for many of these. And in the exhibitions 

 which they have been, and are making, they are giving with proper and native effect 

 the following list : 



The welcome dance. — This peculiar dance is given to a stranger, or strangers, 

 whom they have decided to welcome in their village, and out of respect to the person 

 or persons to whom they are expressing this welcome, the musicians and all the 

 spectators rise upon their feet while it is being danced. 



The song is at first a lament for some friend, or friends, who are dead or gone away, 

 and ends in a gay and lively and cheerful step, whilst they are announcing that the 

 friend to whom they are addressing it is received into the place which has been left. 

 War dance. — The war dance, which is one of the most exciting and spirited modes 

 of the American Indians, is danced by the warriors before starting on a war excur- 

 sion, and as often after they have returned, making their boasts how they are going 

 to slay their enemies in battle, or how they have met them and taken their scalps, to 

 be carried through the dance by their women and children, &c. It is a long and 

 tiresome dance if given entire, and is divided into the number of parts named and 

 described below. 



Eh-ros-ka (the warrior's dance). — This exciting part of the war dance is gen- 

 erally given after a party have returned from war as a boast, and oftentimes, when 

 not &t war, is given as an amusement merely. 



The song in this dance seems to be addressed to the body of an enemy from its 

 name, Eh-Ros-Ka, meaning the body, the tribe, or war party, rather than an indi- 

 vidual, although the beginning of the scng is addressed to an individual chief or 

 warrior of the enemies party thus: 



Ota-pa! 



Why run you from us when you 

 Are the most powerful ? 

 , But it was not you, 



O-ta-pa! 



It was your hody that run, 

 It was your hody, O-ta-pa ! 

 It was your hody that run. 



Wa-sissica (the war song) is sung for the last part of this dance, and the move- 

 ment in the dance is quickened, beginning with the ejaculation — 



How-a! How-a! 

 vO ta-pa ! 



I am proud of being at home ! 

 I am proud, O-ta-pa ! I am proud 

 I am at home— my euemy run 

 I am proud, I am proud, O-ta-pa ! 



