Traditions of the Arikara

by George A. Dorsey

36. THE NOTCHED STICK AND THE OLD WOMAN OF THE ISLAND.

Notched stick for rubbing other sticks on and dried buffalo hide used to make rain during medicine-men’s ceremony. At end of ceremony notched stick and buffalo hide are taken to island. Man goes to island and sees old woman sitting. He tells father, who says objects are put on island because they are old woman.