32 



ixDf.ws or Tin-: I'lmxs 



Blackfoot 

 Tipi 



u the contor of this hall is a Hhickhiot liuhaii tipi with paintings of 

 otters oil the sides, n'j)res('utinj2; a vision of the owner. 

 This ti|)i has been fitted up to show tlie home life of a 



typical hiilfalo hiiiitiim Indian. 



'I'here 

 Societies 



Sun Dance 



were numerous soldier soci- 

 eties amon^ the Plains 

 Indians which included 

 practically all the adult males. Each 

 society' had a special dance and .special 

 costumes. (See the Arapaho cases for 

 costume dances.) There were other 

 dances connected with tribal reli;.;ious 

 ceremonials, the best known and most 

 im])ortant of which is the 

 sun dance, illustrated by 

 a model at the left of the tipi. The 

 sun dance was lield annually in the 

 early summer in fulfillment of a vow 

 made during the preceding winter by 

 some member of the tribe who wished 

 a sick relative to recover. The dance 

 involved great physical endurance and 

 excruciating selftorture, lasting three 

 days, during which time the dancers 

 neither ate nor drank. 



In the center of the hall is a gen- 

 uine medicine pipe, held 

 in awe by the Indians 

 and dearly parted with: 

 also the contents of a medicine pipe 

 bundle. The contents of another medi- 

 cine* bundle, belonging to a leading man of the Blackfoot tribe (medi- 

 cineman), together with the headdress which he wore in ceremonies, 

 is in a case near the tower. 



The Plains Indians are noted for their picture writing on skins and for 

 their (juillwork, which has now been sui)erseded by beadwork. They 

 have a highly developed decorative art in which simple geometric 

 designs are the elements of composition, this being one of the most 

 interesting features of their art. (See Dakota case.) [See Handbook 

 No. 1. North American Indians of the Plains.) 



Medicine 

 Pipe 



PIPE AND TOBACCO BAGS 



Dakota Indian:^. 



