XXXIV. THE ECHO GOD AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
(Iroquois)
The Iroquois seem to have been the only nation to worship with feast and dance the echo god of the hills. When at war with other Indian nations or tribes, the chiefs and warriors of the Iroquois would go out and call: “Gohweh! Gohweh!” meaning, “I am telling you!” as many times as there were enemies slain.
They did this very boldly, for they never believed that strange nations could hear or understand them or the echo’s answer. If any of their own people were slain, the cry was, “Ohweh!” which meant, “Our own!”
When they were on the warpath and night overtook them, the scattered ones were gathered in by using the call to the echo god.
While planning an attack upon some other band runners were sent out ahead to call to the echo god and find out if it was his wish for them to fight. If no answer came to repeated calls, the attack would be [[180]]given up for a time. Some form of worship, either feast or dance, would then be held, and runners would after this be sent out again to ask what the echo god meant by not answering. If by any means an answer came to their wails and calls, then the attack would be made. If no answer came, the band found some other tribe to destroy.
A dance was always given to the echo god after a victory, and with this was given a great feast, but never until they had mourned for their dead and decided what to do with their captives.
The Iroquois go on the warpath no more. They have no longer any need to call upon their echo god for help. They no longer offer him the worship of the feast and dance.
The Northern Lights were closely watched by the Iroquois. The color of the lights meant a great deal to the Indian watchers.
If the Northern Lights were white, it was believed that the frost would shortly follow; if yellow, sickness and much trouble to the nation was feared; while if the lights were red, very red, war and bloodshed were on their way to harm the innocent.
If the sky was mottled and it was springtime, that was the best sign possible. There was dancing and singing, for a good corn season was expected in return for the worship shown in the dance.
Adapted from Powell’s Report. [[181]]