20 INDIANS OF THE PLAINS 
houses of considerable size. A small model of one of these houses 
stands near the exhibits. 
In the center of this hall is a Blackfoot Indian tipi with paintings of 
otters on the sides, representing a vision of the owner. 
This tipi has been fitted up to show the home life of a 
typical buffalo 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 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 self-torture, 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 
Blackfoot 
Tipi 
Societies 
Sun Dance 
Saige in awe by the Indians 
and dearly parted with; 
PIPE AND TOBACCO BAGS also the contents of a medicine pipe 
Dakota Indians. 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their quillwork, which has now been superseded by beadwork.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.| 
