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Show 178 THE MIDE'WIWIN OF THE OJIBWA. I 1 Fio. 4- Peep- hole post. ( No. 119) in which there was a small aperture. The post was painted green on the side from which he approached and red upon the side toward the Mide'wigan [ see Fig. 4.] But before he was permitted to look through it he rested and invoked the favor of Ki'tehi Man'ido, that the evil man'idos might be expelled from his path. Then, when the Otter looked through the post, he saw that the interior of the inclosure was filled with Mide' Man'idos, ready to receive him and to attend during his initiation. The two Mide' Man'idos at the outside of the eastern entrance ( Nos. 120 and 121) compelled the evil man'idos ( Nos. 122 and 123) to depart and permit the Otter to enter at the door ( No. 124). Then the Otter beheld the sacred stone ( No. 125) and the five heaps of sacred objects which Mina-bo'zho had deposited ( Nos. 126, 127, 128, 129, and 180) near the four degree posts ( Nos. 131,132,133, and 134). According to their importance, the first was painted red, with a green band about the top; the second was painted red, with two green bands, one at the top and another at the middle; the third consisted of a cross painted red, with the tips of the arms and the top of the post painted green; while the fourth was a square post, the side toward the east being painted white, that toward the south green, that toward the west red, and that toward the north black. The two sets of sticks ( Nos. 135 and 136) near the eastern and western doors represent the legs of Makwa' Man'ido, the Bear Spirit. When the Otter had observed all these things he passed round the interior of the Mide'wigan four times, after which he seated himself in the west, facing the degree posts, when Mi'nabo zho approached him and for the fourth time shot into his body the sacred mi'gis, which gave him life that will endure always. Then Mi'nabo'zho said to the Otter, " This degree belongs to Ki'tshi Man'ido, the Great Spirit ( Nos. 137 and 138), who will always be present when you give the sacred nte to any of your people.'* At night the Mide' Man'idos ( Nos. 139 to 162) will guard the Mide'wigan, as they are sent by Ki'tshi Man'ido to do so. The Bear's nest ( Nos. 163 and 164) just beyond the northern and southern doors ( Nos. 165 and 166) of the Mide'wigan are the places where Makwa' Man'ido takes his station when guarding the doors. Then the Otter made a wig'iwam and offered four prayers ( Nos. 167,168,169, and 170) for the rites of the MidS'wiwin, which Ki'tshi Man'ido had given him. The following supplemental explanations were added by Sikas'- sig8, viz: The four vertical lines at the outer angles of the lodge structure ( Nos. 171, 172, 173, and 174), and four similar ones on the inner corners ( Nos. 175, 176, 177, and 178), represent eight cedar trees planted there by the Mide' at the time of preparing the Mide'wigan for the reception of candidates. The circles Nos. 179, 180, and 181, and the connecting line, are a reproduction of similar ones shown in the three preceding degrees, and signify the course of aMide'slife- that it should be without fault and in strict accordance with the teachings of the Mide'wiwin. The short lines, terminating in circles Nos. 182, 183, 184, and 185, allude to temptations which beset the Mide's path, and he shall, when so tempted, offer at these points feasts and lectures, or, in other words, " professions of faith," The three lines Nos, 186, 187. and 188, consisting of four |
