M. R. HARRINGTON — SACRED BUNDLES OF THE SAC AND FOX INDIANS. 261

be masters of the beasts of the field, the fowls of the air, etc. “At first,” says A., “the Great Spirit made eight persons and promised them two horns, but some time after he saw them and they had only one. Our Me-shaum is the same to us when we open it as the Book (the Bible) is to the white people, for by it we learn what the gods delivered to our ancestors to be handed down from generation to generation.”
Attendance Upon a Feast or Invocation, August 11th.
This mom an invitation was sent to me by Ap-pen-oore to attend; considering it as a mere matter of civility and not as giving countenance to their superstitions I accepted of the invitation. Considerable of preparation had been previously made, the apartment carefully enclosed and was one of the most sacred and ceremonious which I witnessed. At the appointed time I went in. The sacred songs had all been sung and all was silence for a few minutes. A. then made a speech occupying some fifteen or twenty minutes, repeating, as I was informed, the requisitions of the Me-shaum. All listened very attentively and occasionally responded by a loud grunt. At the close he ordered the cooks to serve the company, which they did, dealing out to each individual his portion in a dish or wooden bowl. When they took the kettles from the fire a ladle full of the broth contained in them was taken out and one went round the fire pouring a little of it into the fire very care- fully as he went round. And each portion was also carried once round the fire before it was given to the individual. No one began to eat until all were served, but each was engaged in taking off the things with which the pieces of venison were tied together, or else in stripping them to pieces as no knives or forks were permitted to be used. These, as well as the use of salt, are strictly forbidden by the rules of the Me-shaum, and nothing except a spoon may be used. When all were in readiness to eat, the kettles having been with much care turned over at each end of the fire, each one, beginning at the head, uttered a few words, which were thanks to the Mam-e-she-
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262 UNIVERSITY MUSEUM — ANTHROPOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS VOL. IV.
mah-kah, and then began to eat. The same expression of thanks was given at the close. Some, I observed, were unable to eat their portion ; such sent out and invited a friend to come to their assistance, as nothing must be left which could be eaten, and the remainder, viz., the strings and bones, were all collected and burned in the fire, together with some stuff taken from the Me-shaum, which was considered as a kind of incense. Then followed a long speech or prayer by the chief speaker and he was followed by the chief with another. These speeches were said over in a solemn but hurried manner and are used at every sacred feast. After all these and other ceremonies also were performed, it was announced that the feast was closed, and as each went out he went once round the fire, the whole occupying an hour and a half or two hours.
These feasts are attended with great formality and serious- ness and are considered as religious worship offered to the Great Spirit, still they exert no moral influence whatever that I could observe, either to restrain from doing wrong, or as leading to that which is right in the sight of God.
One Indian who attended this feast was remarkably scrupulous in observing every ceremony and in requiring others also to do the same, and exceedingly troubled because my inter- preter carried in a little salt for his own use. He told him that he was a very bad man because he did it, worse than white man, etc. This Indian only the day before I saw intoxicated, but now he enters and partakes of the sacred feast as welcome a guest as any other. However base their conduct or vile their character may be, it does not disqualify for the enjoyment of their most sacred privileges. So soon as an Indian rises to the rank of a brave, and this he does whenever he has killed or wounded an enemy in battle, he then can belong to the Me- shaum and partake of the sacred feasts.
The religion of the Me-shaum is therefore peculiarly adapted to their habits and manner of life.
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PLATES
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PLATE XX
A Mecabe’kwa, Sac and Fox priest and historian of the Sacred Bundles, with his wife.
B William Skye, Peoria, expedition assistant, who collected many of the Sacred Bundles.
C, D Co'kwlwa, a Sac and Fox Bundle owner.
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ANTHR. PUB. UNIV. MUSEUM VOL. IV
PLATE XX
SAC AND FOX INDIANS
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PLATE XXI
A Ceremonial Bark-house of the Sac and Fox Bear clan, also winter mat lodge.
B Sac and Fox Bark-house where Sacred Bundles are kept, with cooking arbor in front. The bark walls of the house have been removed on account of warm weather.
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B
CEREMONIAL HOUSES
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PLATE XXII
Sac and Fox “Dance to the Medicine of the Brave.” From Catlin.
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SAC AND FOX ' DANCE TO THE MEDICINE OF THE BRAVE,” FROM CATLIN.
PLATE XXIII
A Sac and Fox Indians emerging from sweat-house before Sacred Bundle Ceremony. From paint- ing by Ernest Spybuck, a Shawnee.
B Preparing dogs for cooking, to be used in the feast at a Sac and Fox Sacred Bundle Ceremony.
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PLATE XXIII
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ANTHR. PUB. UNIV. MUSEUM VOL. IV
INDIAN DRAWINGS
PLATE XXIV
Ceremonial House of the Fox clan, of the Sac and Fox Indians, showing Sacred Bundle Dance in progress. From a painting by Ernest Spy- buck, a Shawnee.
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PLATE XXIV
INDIAN DRAWING
PLATE XXV
War Bundle, closed, showing war whistles — Sac and Fox Indians (2/8591).
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ANTHR. PUB. UNIV. MUSEUM VOL IV
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WAR BUNDLE, CLOSED, SHOWING WAR WHISTLES - SAC AND FOX INDIANS
KEY TO PLATE XXVI
A Wolf tail amulet.
B Magic arm band of swan’s down.
C Miniature war club, an amulet.
D Part of net-work sash.
E '
P Magic woven arm bands.
G
H Magic arm band of fabric and swan’s down.
I
J 1 Magic arm bands of buffalo skin.
K
L Buffalo tail amulet.
M Captive-leading rope, with quill deco- ration.
N 1
O \ Scalp-lock amulets of bird skins, feathers P J and buffalo hair.
Q Scalp-lock amulet of swan's down.
R Sweetgrass used as incense.
S 1 Woven sacks containing medicine, etc., T J packed in down.
U Piece of lava from woven sack.
V Medicine package of birch bark.
W Medicine package of fawn skin.
X Medicine package of buckskin.
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CONTENTS OF SAC AND FOX WAR BUNDLE
KEY TO PLATE XXVIII
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Weasel skin amulet on woven neck band. Piece beaver skin with fur.
Piece dried meat. (?)
Piece buffalo bladder.
Packages of cedar leaves and herbs. Woven sack in which above were kept. Buffalo tail amulet.
Squirrel skin package of magic red paint. Calico bags of cedar leaves.
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KEY TO PLATE XXIX
A Deer hoof rattle, from Bundle 2/6371.
B Drumstick, from Bundle 2/8452.
C Drumstick, from Bundle 2/8591.
D Gourd rattle, from Bundle 2/5311.
E War whistle, from Bundle 2/6376.
P War whistle, with buckskin neck band, from Bundle 2/8561. G War whistle, with woven neck band, from Bundle 2/8593.
H Rattle sticks, used in Wolf Bundle ceremonies 2/7869.
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KEY TO PLATE XXX
A Buffalo hide head band with horns, from Bundle 2/8452.
C | Split woodpecker skin head bands, from Bundles 2/5317, 2/8561. D Split hawk skin head band, from Bundle 2/8591.
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KEY TO PLATE XXXI
A Part of deer hair head-dress, from Bundle 2/8738.
B Amulet of swan's down, buffalo hair, feathers and ribbon, from Bundle 2/6376.
C Amulet of buffalo hair, feathers and ribbon, from Bundle 2/8591. D Amulet of buffalo hair, feathers and ribbon, decorated with ribbon and beadwork, from Bundle 2/8591.
E Amulet of swan’s down, buffalo hair, feathers and ribbon, from Bundle 2/6371.
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ANTHR. PUB.
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PLATE XXXII
Amulets from Sac and Fox War Bundles.
A Beaver skin head band, from Bundle 2/8593.
B Arm band, quill decoration, from Bundle 2/8591.
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KEY TO PLATE XXXIII
A Woven necklace, showing attachment of medicine packets and feathers, from Bundle 2/8738.
B Necklace, showing medicine packets and deer hair fringe, from Bundle 2/5311.
C Small bird skin wrapped in woven necklace, to which it was doubtless once attached, from Bundle 2/6506.
D Woven necklace, showing medicine packets, from Bun- dle 2/6371.
E Fawn skin cover for D.
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KEY TO PLATE XXXIV A Buffalo hide arm band, from Bundle 2/8591.
B Buffalo tail arm band with medicine packets and quill decorations, from Bundle 2/8739. C Buffalo tail, possibly arm band, with medicine packet and quill decoration, from Bundle 2/6373.
D Buffalo hide arm band with medicine packets, from Bundle 2/8591.
E Buffalo hide arm band, from Bundle 2/6371.
F Buffalo tail amulet, with medicine packets, from Bundle 2/8561.
G Buffalo tail belt amulet, with medicine packet, from Bundle 2/8591.
H Buffalo tail belt amulet, with medicine packet, from Bundle 2/8591.
I White buffalo or steer tail belt amulet, with toggle for attachment, from Bundle 2/8534.
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ANTHR. PUB. UNIV. MUSEUM VOL. IV
PLATE XXXV
AMULETS FROM SAC AND FOX WAR BUNDLES
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KEY TO PLATE XXXVI
A Wooden charm in form of a deer’s foot, from Bundle 2/8593.
B Buffalo horn used as medicine cup, from Bundle 2/8591.
C Woven bead garter, from Bundle 2/8738.
D Captive leader of fibre, from Bundle 2/8591.
E Captive leader of rawhide, end cut to resemble spear head, from Bundle 2/6506. F Spear head of iron, from Bundle 2/8738.
^ | Quilled pouches, from Bundle 2/8452.
I Fossil bone in wrapping, from Pouch H.
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ANTHR. PUB. UNn
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KEY TO PLATE XXXVII
A Witch medicine in beaded pouch, from Bundle 2/6378. B Woven sack, cover for witch medicine.
C Weasel skin amulet, from General Bundle 2/5327.
| Magic plumes.
F Snuff box, containing herbs.
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KEY TO PLATE XXXVIII
A Fetish, of wood.
B
C
F
G Packets containing medicine.
D Ball of earth.
E Amulet, consisting of thimble containing love medicine, attached to string of beads. K Bits of root and wampum bead, from Sack N.
M } ^ oven sac ^ cs ’ | in which medicine and amulet were kept.
N Cloth sack, j
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KEY TO PLATE XXXIX
A Woven sack of basswood fibre.
B Fetish of baked clay.
C Thimble containing love medicine. D Strip of beadwork.
F Leather purse, empty.
G Can containing herb mixture.
E
H
I Medicine packages.
J
K
L
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KEY TO PLATE XL
A Wooden fetish, representing warrior, with stone knife, plume, whistle, blanket and deer hair pillow, from Bundle 2/8602.
B Reproduction (?) of fetish, representing the turtle, from Bundle 2/8603.
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