FIFTH REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR IOX)8 



75 



So now you get tobacco, you, the pygmies. (Sprinkles tobacco 

 on the fire.) 



Now is the time when you have come, 



You and the members have assembled here tonight. 



Now again you receive tobacco, you, the pygmies. (Throws 

 tobacco.) 



You are the wanderers of the mountain, 

 You have promised to hear us whenever the drum sounds, 

 Even as far away as a seven days' journey. 

 Now all of you receive tobacco. (Throws tobacco.) 

 You well know the members of this society, 

 So let this cease. (The maliferous influence causing sickness). 

 You are the cause of a person, a member, becoming ill. 

 Henceforth give good fortune for she (or he) has fulfilled her 

 duty and given you tobacco. 



You love tobacco and we remember it, 



So also you should remember us. 



Now the drum receives tobacco, 



And the rattle also. 



It is our belief that we have said all 



So now we hope that you will help us. 



Now these are the words spoken before you all, 



You who are gathered here tonight. 



So now it is done. 



Da-wan' -do n } or Otter Society 



1 The Society of Otters, Dawando", is a band of people organ- 

 ized to propitiate the otters and other water animals who are sup- 

 posed to exercise an influence over the health, fortunes and 

 destinies of men. The otter, who is the chief of the small water 

 animals, including the fish, is a powerful medicine animal and 

 besides having his own special society is a member of the Ie'-dos 

 and the Hono'tcino" ga. 



2 The Otters may appear at any public thanksgiving*, as the 

 Green Corn dance and the Midwinter thanksgiving. After a 

 tobacco throwing ceremony, hay'dnt'wutgus, the three women offi- 

 cers of the Ddivandon each dip a bucket of the medicine water 

 from the spring or stream, dipping down with the current, and 

 carry it to the council house where they sprinkle every one whom 

 they meet by dipping long wisps of corn husk in the water and 

 shaking them at the people. If the women succeed in entering 

 the council house and sprinkling every one without hindrance they 

 will go for more water and continue until stopped. The only way 

 in which they may be forced to discontinue their sprinkling is 

 for some one, just before she sprinkles him, to snatch the pail and 

 throw the entire contents over her head. The Otter woman will 

 then say, " H&fe-gcfii, nia-weht" meaning, " Enough, I thank you/' 

 She will then retire. 



