32 



IXDIANS OF THE PLAINS 



In the center of this hall is a Blackfoot Indian tipi with paintings of 

 Blackfoot ^"^^^ °^ *^^ ^'^^^' '■^presenting a vision of the ownaer 



Tipi 





Societies 



Sun Dance 



This tipi has been fitted up to show the home life of a 

 typical l)uffalo hunting Indian. 



There were numerous soldier soci- 

 eties among 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 religious 

 ceremonials, the best known and most 

 important of which is the 

 sun dance, illustrated by 

 a model at the left of the tipi. The 

 sun dance was held annually in the 

 early sunnner in fulfillment of a vow 

 made during the preceding winter by 

 some meml:)er of the trii)e who wishetl 

 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 Intlians 

 and dearly parted with; 

 also the cont-ents of a metlicine 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 cjuillwork, which has now been sui)ers(>ded by beadwork. They 

 have a highly developed decorative art in which simple geometric 

 designs are the elements of composition, tliis b(>ing 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 Indians. 



