Chapter 3
M. R. HARRINGTON — SACRED BUNDLES OF THE SAC AND FOX INDIANS. 127
still a gen eral classification is possible, and will be given here, with the definitions of the terms I shall use hereafter.
The Fe tish.
This is an object, natural or artificial, large or small, which is regarded as a living being, possessed of supernatural power, and as endowed with consciousness and volition, or is thought to be the dwelling or representation of such a being, and to possess its magical powers, wholly or in part. It is su ppos ed to understand what is said to it, and to enjoy offerings.
The Amulet.
An object, small, or at least readily portable, which is worn or carried by its owner, with the idea that it possesses the power of giving him good fortune, protecting him or imbu- ing him with powers or qualities not naturally his own; but without any definite idea that the object is alive or that it is the actual habitation of a spirit. Th e idea underlying this class is frequently that the amulet is a symbol or token of a supernatural being, who is pleased by seeing it worn and grants his protection and aid to the wearer. In other cases the idea is that of sympathetic magic, as when a portion of some animal’s body is worn to endow the wearer with that animal’s desirable qualities.
The Charm.
Like the amulets, the class of objects which for purposes of this paper we shall call charms are not generally regarded as living, supernatural beings, nor the abode of such, but are objects, substances or compounds of herbs (charm-medicines),
Digitized by CjOOQle
128 UNIVERSITY MUSEUM — ANTHROPOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS VOL. IV.
which by their own inherent virtues or powers, can compel the supernatural beings or forces of nature to aid the mani- pulator of the charm, jn some particular, invariable way, or can cause such abnormal results without the idea of the inter- vention of any spirit, but purely by properties inherent in the charm itself. There is little if any difference in the mind of the Indian between the manner of action of the herbs that he compounds as a cathartic and the action of another com- pound that he makes to drive away witches. The phenomena of chemical reaction to his mind would be comparable to the workings of a charm to produce rain or to give a rival hunter bad luck. In this way the beliefs and practices connected with charms and charm-medicines merge into those accepted by modem medicine and chemistry.
The Sacred Bundle.
This is a bundle containing one or more charms, amulets or fetishes, often a collection, embracing objects of all these classes, together with paints, offerings and ceremonial paraphernalia. Many of these bundles, regarded with the greatest "respect and even fear, are thought to have a consciousness of their own, to understand what is said to them, and to enjoy offerings. In such cases, we have a collection of various kinds of “powerful’ ’ objects regarded, in its entirety, as a fetish.
This is almost invariably the case with the important bundles connected with the religious rites of the influential societies, the clans or the whole tribe; the war bundles and others of general public interest. In a lesser degree, the same idea appears regarding some of the bundles of more or less personal use, such as those for hunting, love, friendship, healing
Digitized by LaOOQle
