Special Annual Ceremonies

SPECIAL ANNUAL CEREMONIES

I Dä'nondinônnio`' Êde:`kwa gää'kwa`, the Sun Dance.

II Dä'nondinônnio`' Soi'ka gää'kwa`, the Moon Dance.

III Wasaze, ¹ the Thunder Dance.

I

1 Dä'nondinônnio`' Êde:`kwa gää'kwa`, the Sun dance, is designed to honor the sun.

2 This ceremony has no certain time for its celebration but may be called by anyone, at any time, who dreams it necessary for the welfare of the settlement.

3 The ceremony begins at noon when arrows are shot up toward the sun while the populace shout their war cries.

4 A fire is built outside and tobacco is thrown by a priest who chants the sun-rite.

5 Three times during this ceremony a shower of arrows are shot up to the sun accompanied by a chorus of cries, intended to notify him that they are addressing him.

6 Immediately afterward the Osto'wägowa is engaged in as the only fitting dance to perform before the mighty Sun.

II

1 Dä'nondinônnio`' Soi'ka gää'kwa`, the Moon Dance ceremony, is convened by anyone who dreams it necessary or by the advice of a clairvoyant.

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2 A thanksgiving speech is recited by a chief while he burns the tobacco offering to the moon.

3 As the peach stone gambling game is thought especially pleasing to the moon, the company gambles away the evening.

4 The distribution of the feast terminates the ceremony.

III

1 Wasaze, the Thunder Dance, is one designed to please the spirit of Thunder, Hi?'noⁿ.

2 A council is called when the first thunder of the year is heard and a time as immediate as possible set for the Wasaze.

3 The dancers assemble without the council house, an opening address is made by a priest or chief and the dance immediately starts.

4 The line of dancers dance into the long house.

5 Hi?'noⁿ is supposed to delight in war songs and these are sung to please him.

6 Tobacco is burned and a thanksgiving speech made to Hi?'noⁿ, for his services in the past and he is prayed to continue his favors.

Footnotes

103:1 meaning, Dakota, or Sioux.