| OCR Text |
Show HOPFMAK.] INITIATION BY SUBSTITUTION. 281 toward the Mide'wigan, the priests fall in in single file, and all move forward, the Mide' priests chanting the following words repeatedly, viz: Ki- e'- ne- kwo- t&' ki- e'- ne- kwo- t&', ha', ha', ha', n5s e'wi- e', hS', ki'- na- ka'- ta- mtLn' do- n&'- gan- " I also, I also, my father, leave you my dish." This is sung for the deceased, who is supposed to bequeath to his father his dish, or other articles the names of which are sometimes added. The procession continues toward and into the Mide'wigan, passing around the interior by the left side toward the west, north, and east to a point opposite the space usually reserved for the deposit of goods, where the candidate turns to the right and stands in the middle of the inclosure, where he now faces the Midg' post in the west. The members who had not joined the procession, but who had been awaiting its arrival, now resume their seats, and those who accompanied the candidate also locate themselves as they desire, when the officiating priests begin the ceremony as described in connection with the initiation for the first degree after the candidate has been turned over to the chief by the preceptor. Sometimes the mother of one who had been so dedicated to the Mide'wiwin is taken into that society, particularly when the father is absent or dead. INITIATION BY SUBSTITUTION. It sometimes happens that a sick person can not be successfully treated by the Mide', especially in the wig'iwam of the patient, when it becomes necessary for the latter to be carried to the Mide'wigan and the services of the society to be held. This course is particularly followed when the sick person or the family can furnish a fee equivalent to the gift required for initiation under ordinary circumstances. It is believed, under such conditions, that the evil man'idos can be expelled from the body only in the sacred structure, at which place alone the presence of Ki'tshi Man'ido may be felt, after invocation, and in return for his aid in prolonging the life of the patient the latter promises his future existence to be devoted to the practice and teachings of the Mide'wiwin. Before proceeding further, however, it is necessary to describe the method pursued by the Mide' priest. The first administrations may consist of mashki'kiwabun', or medicine broth, this being the prescription of the Mide' in the capacity of mashki'kike'winl'nl, or herbalist, during which medication he resorts to incantation and exorcism, accompanying his song by liberal use of the rattle. As an illustration of the songs used at this period of the illness, the following is presented, the mnemonic characters being reproduced on PI. xvi, C. The singing is monotonous and doleful, though at times it becomes animated and discordant. |
