570 
ANTHROPOLOGY: A. C. FLETCHER 
Studying this rite in connection with the one used to introduce the 
child to the cosmos, given in the previous article, together with the 
various tribal ceremonies of the Siouan group of tribes, it becomes clear 
that 'the truth' referred to in the ritual song, given above, is that man 
is an integral part of an order established and sustained by the invisi- 
ble, undying power, called Wakonda. When the child, through this 
ceremony, entered the tribe it became a recognized member of the 
cosmic family as estabhshed by Wakonda and drew its strength to 
pursue the path of life from this truth. Henceforth help could be asked 
of Wakonda and be brought to the growing child through the perfor- 
mance of the duties laid upon it as a member of the tribe. The children 
thereafter grew up under the influence of the Indian's behef in an ever 
present though invisible Wakonda. 
For the male child, there was a supplementary rite which followed 
that through which he was born into the tribe. This ceremony per- 
tained to the life of the boy as a future warrior and protector of the 
tribe. The rite was called, by the Omaha, 'Webashna,' to cut the 
hair. There is evidence indicating that this rite belongs to a later 
period in the evolution of the tribe than the preceding ceremony of 
Turning the Child.' The limitation of space forbids the presentation 
of evidence showing how, through the specializing of duties with their 
attendant ceremonies, the political growth of the tribe slowly devel- 
oped. In the following rite we discern that the warrior has been raised 
above the mere fighter, he has become the man of power, one entitled 
to be placed in close relation to those natural manifestations of power 
seen in the fury of the storm and heard in the rolling of the thunder. 
In the efforts toward political unification of the tribe, such rites as those 
connected with Thunder would conduce to the welding of the people, 
by the inculcation of a common dependence upon a powerful god and the 
putting of a sign of consecration to this god upon the head of every male 
member of the tribe. 
In the ceremony of Webashna, the priest took the boy to the space 
within the sacred tent west of the fire, there, both facing the east, the 
priest gathered a tuft from the crown of the boy's head, cut it off and 
laid it away in a parflesh case, which was kept as a sacred repository, 
singing as he cut the hair the following ritual song, explanatory of the 
act. (A free translation is given.) 
Grandfather! far above, on high, 
The hair, like a shadow, passes before you; 
Grandfather! far above on high. 
Dark like a shadow, the hair sweeps before you into the midst of your realm. 
