OSAGE TRADITIONS, BY REV. J. OWEN DORSEY.
This paper contains an account of a secret society of seven degrees, still existing among the Osage, in which the traditions of the people have been preserved. The author, by his skill and personal influence, has obtained and now furnishes two of these traditions in the original language, with an interlinear and a free translation of each and with explanatory remarks.
The traditions are both cosmologic and sociologic, and are admirable examples of Indian philosophy. The existence of secret associations, periodically celebrating religious mysteries, and of shamanistic orders, which, by ceremonies, pictographs, and chants, have preserved in more or less purity the traditions of their ancestors, has been vaguely known for some years, but until lately no accurate or indeed intelligent account of them has been secured.
The exertions of several of the officers of this Bureau have been successful in obtaining full details and clear explanations both of the traditions and the ceremonials of several of the Indian tribes, notably those of the Zuñi and the Navajo, published in former annual reports. The present paper by Mr. Dorsey takes an important place in this new collection of materials for the study of Indian philosophy, from which valuable results have been already acquired.