OCR Text |
Show Lifeways 17 their own experiments on themselves or other persons what was good for them and what was not. For instance, the yarrow plant which has a strong odor and a smelly, stinging taste, was used by the Ute People as a salve for cuts and bruises. To the Ute People, disease was not a condition of the body, but an entity, something which took possession of the person to do them evil. The Poowagudt was called upon to get rid of the evil. The individual who was sick and suffering informed the Poowagudt, who would sit up all night with that person and conjure. One or two feathers were used for the healing. Eagle feathers were usually used because the People believed in the power of eagles. Through the use of chants, drums, and rattles, the Poowagudt discovered what was the ailment and, therefore, what should be given. From where the Poowagudt derived their Power is not told to anybody but to those who believe in this Power. Modern-day scientists might challenge and analyze the product used by them, but they cannot find the Power behind it. Only the Indian knew where to go and which plants or bones or other things he had to put in his bag to make his Power work. The Power he obtained was for the good of the People only. Once, when a man with Power thought that nobody was watching, he started to use the Power in his own selfish way. There was born bad medicine. The Power of bad medicine can be derived only from the dead, animals or human beings. These beliefs of the Ute People were based upon their tradition, and these traditions were taught to each generation. But the contact with white society changed this. The old religion of the People is slowly dying out. The old people are not revealing spiritual and mental powers to the younger generation. The Poowagudt is being replaced by the modern doctor, whom the Ute People are now beginning to accept for his "magical" powers. |