Sign. Draw the extended right hand across the throat from left to right as if severing the head from the body. Possibly derived from an old Siouan custom of decapitating their prisoners.[7]

Mallery refers to this branch of the Siouan tribe as “Cut Throats,”[8] or a “Cut Throat” from a curious practice adopted by the Iowa after battle. Mooney also advocates this theory though he suggests it applied only to the Sioux and not to the whole Siouan stock and is doubtful as to the common interpretation of the sign—a sweeping motion of the hand in front of the neck—as the Kiowa and certain other tribes called the Iowa the “Necklace People.” He also says that this tribe was a little too far from the plains to have a special sign and were probably merged with the Oto, Missouri, Sauk and others in the general region of the “shaved heads.”

The Iowa tribe of Indians forms one of the Southwestern branches of the great Dakota or Siouan stock and has been included both linguistically and ethnographically by careful students, with the Oto and the Missouri tribes, forming the so-called Chiwere group.[9] The real difference existing between the tribes here noted is one of dialect only. Traditional evidence proves conclusively that they sprung originally from that stem which appears to have been the parent stock of certain other southwestern Siouan tribes, notably, the Winnebago, and from direct information obtained from their people as late as 1883, investigators have been told that not only the Iowa, Missouri, and Oto tribes were from the same source but that the Ponca and Omaha could without question be included, having “once formed part of the Winnebago Nation.”[10]

From their primal home, to the north of the Great Lakes, as tradition has it, came the forebears of these tribes. Attracted by the abundance of fish, the Winnebago halted on the shores of Lake Michigan, while the other bands continued southwestward, eventually coming to the Mississippi. At this point another division took place and it was here that the Iowa separated from the larger group, and it is also at this period that they received the name of Pahoja or Gray Snow.[11] Without stopping for any length of time after separating from their comrades, the Iowa continued down the general course of the Mississippi until Rock River (in Illinois) was reached. At this point as in most of the early history of the tribe we must depend largely on hearsay. Certain traditions however, place them farther north. Waw-non-que-skoona-a’s map, drawn in 1848, shows their movements quite clearly until that date. It is hardly necessary to reiterate statements here that appear textually in connection with the cartographical features, especially as these successive movements are of comparatively recent date and considered to be substantially correct. There is a tradition still popular among the Sioux that when their ancestors first came to the Falls of St. Anthony the Iowa tribe occupied the country adjacent to the Minnesota river and that the Cheyenne[12] occupied territory farther up the same stream.[13]

On the arrival of Le Sueur in 1701 for the purpose of erecting his fort near the mouth of the Blue Earth river, many of the tribe were found and messengers were sent to invite them to settle in the vicinity of the stockade, because of their excellence in farming and general husbandry. Those despatched for this purpose found however, that the Indians had recently moved westward toward the Missouri river and wished to be closer to the Omaha who then dwelt in that region. The tribes with whom Le Sueur came in contact informed him that the river upon which he was about to settle belonged to the Sioux of the West (Dakota), the Ayavois (Iowa), and the Otoctatas (Oto), who lived nearby. Probably the first among the whites to come in actual contact with the Iowa, was Pére André[14] who referred to them in 1676, at which time they were situated about 200 miles west of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The next reference made by a European seems to be that of Father Zenobius Membré[15] in 1680, who mentions the Authontontas (Oto), Nadouessious Maskoutens (Iowa)[16] “about 130 leagues from the Illinois river in three great villages built near a river which empties into the Colbert (Mississippi) on the west side above the Illinois, almost opposite the mouth of the Wisconsin.” He also seems to locate a portion of the Aiuoves (probably Aioues) to the west of the Milwaukee river. On Marquette’s manuscript map which accompanied his Journal, 1673,[17] the Pahoutet (Iowa) are placed on or near the Missouri river, in close company with the Maha, (Omaha) and Ontontana (Oto). This is no doubt conjecture on the part of the cartographer. The Sieuer de la Salle knew of both Oto and Iowa, and in his Hennepin letter of August 22, 1682, he refers to them as Otoutanta and Atounauea respectively. He further states that one of his company[18] was familiar with the languages of both these tribes, which, however, is doubtful.

When Le Sueur first supplied these Indians with firearms in 1700 they were situated at the extreme headquarters of the Des Moines river, though from the translation of this explorer’s narrative, as contained in Wis. Hist. Coll., Vol. XVI, it would seem that this band and the Oto removed and “established themselves toward the Missouri river, near the Maha.” In Jefferys’ French Dominions in North and South America, 1760, the Iowa are located on the Mississippi in latitude 43° 30’. His map however places them on the east side of the Missouri, west of the sources of the Des Moines river and above the Oto, who were on the west side of the Missouri and below the Omaha.[19] According to Lewis & Clark’s Travels, etc., (Coues’ edition, 1893), their villages consisted “of 300 men ... on the river De Moines.”[20] The map by Waw-non-que-skoona-a as included in Schoolcraft and reproduced herewith, gives the final stopping place of the Iowa at a point near the junction of the Wolf and Missouri rivers, within the limits of the present State of Nebraska. Some authorities give their final location as being in two villages, one on the Platte[21] and another on the Great Nemaha river, from which places they conducted traffic with the traders from St. Louis, dealing principally in beaver, otter, racoon, deer, and bear skins. They also appear to have been cultivators of the soil to some extent, even at this early date, and it is recorded that Le Sueur made efforts to have them locate near his Fort l’Huillier[22] as they were “industrious and accustomed to cultivate the earth.” In addition to corn they grew beans[23] and Pike says “they cultivated corn but not proportionately as much as did the Sauks and Foxes.” This traveler also states that they were less civilized than the latter.[24] At a much earlier date Father André[25] writes that, while their village was a large one they were poor as a tribe, their greatest wealth being in “ox-hides[26] and red calumets,”[27] indicating thereby that the Iowa early traded in and manufactured catlinite pipes. In many customs prevailing among the Iowa it has been found that they differed but little from cognate tribes. In their visiting, marriage relations, and management of children they were not unlike the Omaha and others closely allied among the Dakota. In the matter of fraternity they were distinct. The camp circle[28] was divided into half circles and occupied by two phratries of four gentes each.[29]

The first regulated the hunt and other affairs pertaining to the tribe during the autumn and winter. Throughout the other parts of the year the lead was taken by the other phratry.[30] In a general way however, the Iowa social institution differs but slightly from others of the Siouan stock, nor do their visiting or marriage customs vary greatly from those of kindred tribes. Children are managed similarly to those of the Dakota or Omaha. Formerly murder was punished with death by the nearest of kin or by some friend of the murdered person.[31] Occasionally however, presents were made to the avengers by the murderer, in consequence of which the crime was palliated.

Like many other Mississippi Valley tribes the Iowa are not to any great extent associated with the tumuli of America. With the exception of some few mounds in Wapello County, Iowa, at a point near Iowaville, the site of an early trading post, there is little evidence that the Iowa were in any way connected with the mounds in that State. Along the valley located in this section, were many spots frequented by both the Sauk and Fox as well as Iowa and here also were situated the famous race tracks of nearly a mile in length, belonging to the latter tribe.[32] The various games indulged in by the Iowa differed but slightly from those in vogue among kindred or allied tribes.[33] As is almost universal, dice games, or games of chance are more generally to be desired, while games of dexterity take second place. Catlin[34] describes under the former class, one called Kon-tho-gra, or the game of platter which is played almost exclusively by women.[35] It is said to have been exceedingly fascinating and consists of little blocks of wood marked with certain points for counting, to be decided by throws, the lot being shaken in a bowl and thrown out on a sort of a pillow. Bets were made after the bowl was turned and decided by the number of points and colors. Another game described by Catlin[36] is called Ing-Kee-Ko-Kee, or, The Game of the Moccasin. It was played to a song accompaniment[37] among the Iowa by two, four or six people seated on the ground in a circle. In the center are three or four moccasins, under one of which the players in turn try to conceal some small article, as a stone or a nut. The opponents choose what appears to be the lucky covering and if successful, win the stakes. The game, according to this writer, appeared simple and almost foolish, yet he professes to have seen it played for hours without intermission in perfect musical rhythm, and states that it “forms one of the principle gambling games of these gambling people.” Among the Omaha, Ponca, Oto, and Iowa the game of Arrow (Manmuqpe), was most common. This however was more of a religious game and now practically obsolete since the introduction of fire arms. Arrows were shot up into trees until they lodged in the branches. The players then tried to dislodge them and whoever brought down the first, won. There were no sides or opposing parties. Probably the most exciting and to many the most important game among many of the tribes, aside from those of the Mountain Indians, is that of Ball-playing or Racket. This is distinctly a man’s game as opposed to double-ball and some other forms commonly played by women. There are instances however of this having been played by women, and among the Santee Sioux it is at times played by both sexes together. This game has been divided into two principal classes, those of the single and those of the double racket or bat; the latter is more especially peculiar to the southern tribes.[38] The racket may be likewise termed a throwing stick as it is used to pick up and throw the ball rather than for the purpose of hitting. The ball is either of wood or of buckskin stuffed with hair,[39] and the usual size is about two and one-half inches in diameter. Various kinds of rackets are used by the players, some preferring long and some short handles. Among the Oto of Oklahoma, one measured was forty inches in length.[40] Catlin[41] gives an excellent description of this game among the Iowa Indians. His details concerning the goals and byes and various points connected with the different features, make this sketch one of the most complete we have.[42]

As among all tribes east and west, north and south, the Iowa were given to their numerous dances, many of which were of the highest importance. Mention is made here, only of several of the more common or necessary dances, inasmuch as the subject is one if it were treated fully would occupy a volume in itself.

The Welcome Dance