THE GEORGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 309 



WHY THE SCALP IS TAKEN. 



The precise object for which the scalp is taken is one which is definitely understood, 

 and has already been explained ; but the motive (or motives) for which this strict 

 ceremony is so scrupulously held by all the American tribes over the scalp of an enemy 

 is a subject as yet not satisfactorily settled in my mind. There is no doubt but one 

 great object in these exhibitions is public exultation ; yet there are several conclusive 

 evidences that there are other and essential motives for thus formally and strictly dis- 

 playing the scalp. Amongst some of the tribes it is the custom to bury the scalps 

 after they have gone through this series of public exhibitions ; which may in a meas- 

 ure have been held for the purpose of giving them notoriety, and of awarding public 

 credit to the persons who obtained them, and now, from a custom of the tribe, are 

 obliged to part with them. The great respect which seems to be paid to them whilst 

 they use them, as well as the pitying and mournful song which they howl to the manes 

 of their unfortunate victims, as well as the precise care and solemnity with which 

 they afterwards bury the scalps, sufficiently convince me that they have a supersti- 

 tious dread of the spirits of their slain enemies and many conciliatory offices to per- 

 form to insure their own peace, one of which is the ceremony above described. — G. C. 



439. Begging dance, Sacs and Foxes, danced for the purpose of getting presents 



from the spectators. Painted in 1836, at Rock Islaud, 111., at camp of 

 Keokuk's band of Sacs and Foxes. 



(Plate No. 293, page 214, vol. 2, Catlin's Eight Years.) 



The Begging dance is a frequent amusement, and one that has been practiced with 

 some considerable success at this time, whilst there have been so many distinguished 

 and liberal visitors here. It is got up by a number of desperate and long-winded fel- 

 lows, who will dance and yell their visitors into liberality; or, if necessary, laugh 

 them into it by their strange antics, singing a song of importunity and extending 

 their hands for presents, which they allege are to gladden the hearts of the poor and 

 insure a blessing to the giver.— G. C. 



440. Buffalo dance, Mandans, with the mask of the buffalo on. Painted at Mandan 



Village, Dakota, summer of 1832. 



(Plate No. 56, page 128, vol. 1, Catlin's Eight Years.) 



Danced to make huffalo come when they are like to starve for want of food. Song 

 to the Great Spirit, imploring him to send them buffalo, and they will cook the best 

 of it for him. 



From Mandan village, Upper Missouri, July 1832. — The Mandans, like all other tribes, 

 lead lives of idleness and leisure, and, of course, devote a great deal of time to their 

 sports and amusements, of which they have a great variety. Of these dancing is one 

 of the principal, and may be seen in a variety of forms, 6uch as the Buffalo dance, the 

 Boasting dance, the Begging dance, the Scalp dance, and a dozen other kinds of dances, 

 all of which have their peculiar characters and meanings or objects. 



These exercises are exceedingly grotesque in their appearance, and to the eye of a 

 traveler who knows not their meaning or importance they are an uncouth and fright- 

 ful display of starts and jumps and yelps and jarring gutturals which are sometimes 

 truly terrifying. But when one gives them a little attention, and has been lucky 

 enough to be initiated into their mysterious meaning, they become a subject of the 

 most intense and exciting interest. Every dance has its peculiar step, and every 

 step has its meaning; every dance also has its peculiar song, and that is so intricate 

 and mysterious oftentimes that not one in ten of the young men who are dancing and 

 singing it know the meaning of the song whi< h they are chanting over. None but 

 the medicine men are allowed to understand them, and even they are generally only 

 initiated into these secret arcana on the payment of a liberal stipend for their tuition, 

 which requires much application and study. There f o evidently a set song and senti- 



