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Indian Scout Talks: A Guide for Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, a non-fiction book by Charles Alexander Eastman |
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Chapter 19. Indian Ceremonies For Boy Scouts |
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_ CHAPTER XIX. INDIAN CEREMONIES FOR BOY SCOUTS Indian ceremonies are always in demand, and I shall give you several which have been specially adapted to your use from the ancient rites of the Sioux nation. THE AY´-CHAY-TEE, OR SCOUT’S BONFIRE This is supposed to bring success in war and hunting, and may be kindled by a band of Scouts on the eve of a long hike, or any important undertaking, or as a ceremony of initiation of new members. The one appointed to act as Leader or Medicine-man lays in a convenient place a pile of dry wood for the ceremonial fire, to which the Scouts are summoned by a herald. He goes the rounds with a camp horn, bidding all come to the Ay´-chay-tee when the sun is at a certain height in the heavens, preferably near sunset. The Medicine-man should be attired in full Indian costume, and prepared to act the part of a man full of years and wisdom. As fire is the symbol of enthusiasm, energy, and devotion, and is with the Indians a strictly masculine emblem, it is fit that the young men gather about it before going upon a journey or “war-path.” When all have assembled in the usual circle, dressed either in Indian costume or Scout’s uniform, the Leader, standing in the center of the ring beside the prepared wood, kindles a “new fire” by means of the bow and drill, flint and steel, or “rubbing sticks.” He then takes up the long-handled calumet or peace-pipe, which has previously been filled with dried sumach leaves, red willow bark, or other aromatic herb, kindles it with a coal from the “sacred fire,” and reverently holding it before him in both hands, with the stem pointing upward and forward, exclaims: “To the Great Spirit (or Great Mystery) who is over all!” The Scouts answer in unison: “Ho!” Then, turning the stem of the pipe downward, the Leader says: “To our Grandmother, the Earth!” The Scouts answer: “Ho!” He thus holds the pipe successively toward the four points of the compass, exclaiming as he does so: “To the East Wind! the West Wind! the North Wind! the South Wind!” and each time all answer: “Ho!” The Leader next holds the stem of the pipe toward the first Scout, who, stepping forward and touching it solemnly, repeats in an audible voice the “Scout’s Oath:” “I promise to obey my Leader, to seek honor above all things, and that neither pain nor danger shall keep me from doing my duty!” After the pipe has thus gone round the circle, it is laid beside the fire, and all the Scouts chant, or recite in unison, the Strong Heart Song:
When a Scout returns to camp with news, he is met by the councilors seated in a circle about the fire, and before giving his report, takes the oath of the pipe in the past tense, thus: “I have obeyed my Leader, have sought honor above all things, and neither pain nor danger has kept me from doing my duty!” If, however, the matter is urgent, and there is little time for ceremony, he may, on entering the circle, kick down and scatter a small pile of wood which has been placed in readiness, this act constituting his oath that he has faithfully performed his task. THE BEAR DANCE This is one of a class of ceremonies common among Indians, in which the actors masquerade as animals. Bears, wolves, buffalo, elk, and others are represented with elaborate costuming and imagery. The Bear is the emblem of courage. In this dance one of the players is chosen to represent the Bear, and should be made up if possible with the skin and head of that animal as a disguise, otherwise with a painted mask. A small arbor of green boughs forms the den, from which he issues from time to time in short rushes, growling as savagely as possible, and is teased with switches in the hands of the other players. If any one can touch the Bear without being himself touched, he scores one point, but if touched, he loses five points. If he trips and falls while running, he is out of the game. Whenever the pace becomes too swift for him, the Bear may retreat to his den, where he is safe. This game should last a given number of minutes, say twenty, at the end of which the scores are reckoned by two tellers previously detailed, and the winner announced. The drum and Indian songs may accompany this entertainment, which should be followed by a feast of Indian dishes, such as corn, venison, maple sugar, etc., served in Indian style, all the guests being seated cross-legged in a circle. THE PEACE CEREMONY This is a very old rite of the Sioux, intended to typify the conquest of the Thunder-Bird, which is supposed to bring the lightning, and is the emblem of destruction. [Illustration: Fig. 19.] It is appropriately given in early summer, the period of frequent thunderstorms. Cut the figure of the Thunder-Bird from a piece of birch-bark or thin wood, and suspend from the top of a pole fifteen feet high, which is raised in the center of a ring sixty feet in diameter, formed of small bent saplings or willow wands. The ring must have two entrances. At the foot of the pole, place a bowl of clear water to represent the rain which accompanies the lightning. On either side stand two small boys, dressed in red or wearing red about their clothing, and carrying war-clubs in their hands. These boys represent War. Now all the Scouts enter the ring in single file, dressed in Scouts’ uniform or Indian costume and armed with bow and arrows. The drum beats a slow tattoo as they march about the pole, looking upward toward the figure of the Thunder-Bird and chanting these lines:
[Illustration: Fig. 20.] To any or all of these ceremonies spectators may be invited (and among the Indians the whole village is generally present), but it is essential that they maintain perfect order and absolute silence during the solemnities. _ |
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