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Show HOFFMAN.] INITIATION SONGS. 259 in the sweat- lodge, when ceremonial smoking is indulged in followed by the recitation of Mide' chants. The following ( PI. xvi, A) is a reproduction of the chant taught to and recited by the candidate. The original was obtained from an old mnemonic chart in use at Mille Lacs, Minnesotg, in the year 1825, which in turn had been copied from a record in the possession of a Mide' priest at La Pointe, Wisconsin. Many of the words are of an older form than those in use at the present day. Each line may be repeated ad libitum. <? Ni- ka'- ni- na', ni- ka'- ni- na', ni- ka'- ni- na', I am the Nika'ni, I am the Nika'ni, I am the Nika'ni, man'- i- do wig'- i- wam win'- di- ge'- un. I am going into the sacred lodge. [ The speaker compares himself to the Bear Man'ido, and as sucty is represented at the entrance of the Mide'wigan.] Ni- ka'- ni- na', ni- ka'- ni- na', ni- ka'- ni- na', I am the Nika'ni, I am the Nika'ni, I am the Nika'ni, ni- kan'- gi- nun'- da we- ml- duk'. I " suppose " you hear me. [ The lines from the ear denotes hearing; the words are addressed to his auditors.] Wa', he- wa'- ke- wa ke- wa', he- wa'- ke- wa', wa'. He said, he said. [ Signifies that Ki'tshi Man'idd, who is seen with the voice lines issuing from the mouth, and who promised the Ani'shina'beg " life," that they might always live.] Rest. A ceremonial smoke is now indulged in. We'- shki- nun'- do- ni- ne', ke- nosh'- ki- nun' - do- ni- ne'. This is the first time you hear it. [ The lines of hearing are again shown; the words refer to the first time this is chanted as it is an intimation that the singer is to be advanced to the higher grade of the Mide'wiwin.] Hwe'- na- ni- ka he- na', he- no' mi- te'- win- win' gi'- ga- wa'- pi- no- don'. Tou laugh, you laugh at the " grand medicine. 11 [ The arms are directed towards Ki'tshi Man'ido, the, creator of the sacred rite; the words refer to those who are ignorant of the Mide'wiwin and its teachings.] Nun- te'- ma- ne', he', wi'- na- nun'- te- ma- ne' ki- pi- nan'. I hear, but they hear it not. [ The speaker intimates that he realizes the importance of the Mide' rite, but the uninitiated do not.] |
