The Mythology of the North American Indians (Illustrated Edition). Lewis Spence

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      "The sentiments of the following song were uttered by the celebrated Wabojeeg, as the leader of the Chippeways, after a victory over the combined Sioux and Sauks and Foxes, at the Falls of St. Croix, during the latter part of the seventeenth century:

      I

      "'Hear my voice, ye heroes!

       On that day when our warriors sprang

       With shouts on the dastardly foe,

       Just vengeance my heart burned to take

       On the cruel and treacherous breed,

       The Bwoin—the Fox—the Sauk.

      II

      "'And here, on my breast, have I bled!

       See—see! my battle scars!

       Ye mountains, tremble at my yell!

       I strike for life.

      III

      "'But who are my foes? They shall die,

       They shall fly o'er the plains like a fox;

       They shall shake like a leaf in the storm.

       Perfidious dogs! they roast our sons with fire!

      IV

      "'Five winters in hunting we'll spend,

       While mourning our warriors slain,

       Till our youth grown to men

       For the battle-path trained,

       Our days like our fathers we'll end.

      V

      "'Ye are dead, noble men! ye are gone,

       My brother—my fellow—my friend!

       On the death-path where brave men must go

       But we live to revenge you! We haste

       To die as our forefathers died.'

      "In 1824, Bwoinais, a Chippeway warrior of Lake Superior, repeated to me, with the appropriate tunes, the following war-songs, which had been uttered during the existing war between that nation and the Dakotas:

      I

      "'Oshawanung undossewug

       Penasewug ka baimwaidungig.'

       [From the south—they come, the warlike birds—

       Hark! to their passing screams.]

      II

      "'Todotobi penaise

       Ka dow Wiawwiaun.'

       [I wish to have the body of the fiercest bird,

       As swift—as cruel—as strong.]

      III

      "'Ne wawaibena, neowai

       Kagait ne minwaindum

       Nebunaikumig tshebaibewishenaun.'

       [I cast my body to the chance of battle.

       Full happy am I, to lie on the field—

       On the field over the enemy's line.]"

      The Indian Wife and Mother

      The position of women among the North American Indians is distinctly favourable, when the general circumstances of their environment are considered. As with most barbarian people, the main burden of the work of the community falls upon them. But in most cases the bulk of the food-supply is provided by the men, who have often to face long and arduous hunting expeditions in the search for provender. The labour of planting and digging seed, of hoeing, harvesting, and storing crops, is invariably borne by the women. In the more accessible Indian territory of North America, however, the practice of agriculture is falling into desuetude, and the aborigines are becoming accustomed to rely to a great extent on a supply of cereals from outside sources.

      In the art of weaving Indian women were and are extremely skilful. In the southern regions the Hopi women have woven cotton garments from time immemorial.

      Among the various tribes the institution of marriage greatly depends for its circumstances upon the system of totemism, a custom which will be found fully described in the chapter which deals with the mythology of the Red Race. This system places a taboo upon marriages between members of the same clan or other division of a tribe. The nature of the ceremony itself differs with locality and race. Among the Plains Indians polygamy was common, and the essential feature of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts to the bride's father. In some tribes the husband had absolute power, and separation and divorce were common. But other Plains people were free from the purchase system, and the wishes of their women were consulted. East of the Mississippi the Iroquoian, Algonquian (except in the north and west), and Muskhogean tribes retained descent of name and property in the female line. Exchange of gifts preceded marriage with these peoples. Among the Hurons a council of mothers arranged the unions of the members of the tribe. Monogamy, on the whole, prevailed throughout the continent; and, generally speaking, the marriage bond was regarded rather loosely.

      Indian Child-Life

      One of the most pleasing features in Indian life is the great affection and solicitude bestowed by the parents upon their children. As a close student of Indian custom and habit avers, "The relation of parent to child brings out all the highest traits of Indian character." Withal, infant mortality is extraordinarily high, owing to the lack of sanitary measures. The father prepares the wooden cradle which is to be the infant's portable bed until it is able to walk. The papoose has first a child-name, which later gives place to the appellation which it will use through life. Children of both sexes have toys and games, the boys amusing themselves with riding and marksmanship, while the girls play with dolls and imitate their mothers 'keeping wigwam.' In warm weather a great deal of the children's time is spent in swimming and paddling. They are exceedingly fond of pets, particularly puppies, which they frequently dress and carry upon their backs like babies. Among some of the southern peoples small figures representing the various tribal deities are distributed as dolls to the children at certain ceremonies, and the sacred traditions of the race are thus impressed upon them in tangible form. It is a mistake to think that the Indian child receives no higher instruction. This, however, is effected by moral suasion alone, and physical punishment is extremely rare. Great good-humour prevails among the children, and fighting and quarrelling are practically unknown.

      At about fifteen years of age the Indian boy undertakes a solitary fast and vigil, during which his totem or medicine spirit is supposed to instruct him regarding his future career. At about thirteen years of age the girl undergoes a like test, which signalizes her entrance into womanhood.

      Adventure with a Totem

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