THE MEDICINE LODGE RITUAL.
The Honohtcinohgah “sits,” that is, holds lodge meetings, four times each year; in mid-winter, when the moon Nĭsha proclaims the new year, when the deer sheds its hair, when the strawberries are ripe and when corn is in the milk. At these ceremonies each member brings his or her medicine to be sung for and if unable to be present sends it by messenger.
Only members know the exact place and time of meeting. At the entrance of the medicine lodge, a private house of a member chosen for the ceremony, a guard is stationed who scrutinized each person who attempts to pass within. Across the door within is placed a heavy bench “manned” by several stalwart youths who, should a person not entitled to see the interior of the lodge appear, would throw their weight against the bench and force the door shut leaving the unfortunate intruder to the mercy of the outside guards and incoming members.
Each member entering the lodge has with him his medicine, a quantity of tobacco, a pipe and perhaps a rattle although most of the lodge rattles are in the keeping of Honondiont or officers. As the members enter the room they deposit their contribution of tobacco in a husk basket placed for the purpose on a table at one side and then put their medicine packets beside the basket of the sacred herb.
The ceremony proper commences about 11 P. M. in the summer and in winter an hour earlier and lasts until nearly daybreak. The feast makers enter the lodge several hours previous to the ceremony and cook the food for the feast and prepare the strawberry wine.
The seats in the lodge are arranged around the sides of the room leaving the center of the room open.
When all is in readiness a Honondiont takes a basket of sacred tobacco, oyĕñkwa oñweh, and, as he chants the opening ceremony he casts the sacred herb into the smouldering coals. The lights are all burning and the members are in their seats, the only exception being the feast makers whose duties require their attention at the fireplace.
From the manuscript notes of Mrs. Harriet Maxwell Converse, I find the following translation of the “Line Around the Fire Ceremony.”
THE LINE AROUND THE FIRE CEREMONY.
The Singer, (to the members): “This is the line around the fire ceremony. Now I have asked blessings and made prayer.”