A great portion of the information contained in the following pages, respecting the Missouri Indians, and particularly the Omawhaws, was obtained from Mr. John Dougherty, deputy Indian agent for the Missouri, who had an excellent opportunity of making himself acquainted with the natives, by residing for a time in the Omawhaw village, and by visiting all the different nations of this river.
This gentleman with great patience, and in the most obliging manner, answered all the questions which I proposed to him, relating to such points in their manners, habits, opinions, and history, as we had no opportunity of observing ourselves. And we have much to regret that it is not in our power to present the reader with a biographical sketch of this amiable and intrepid traveller.
The permanent Omawhaw village is situate on Omawhaw[pg289] Creek, within two and a half miles of the Missouri river, and about one hundred miles by water above Engineer Cantonment, and seventy by land. It consists of dirt lodges, similar to those of the Konzas already described. Omawhaw creek takes its rise from the bluffs in the rear of the village, and discharges into the river at the distance of seven miles below. About two miles from the town it dilates into a large pond, which is filled with luxuriant {182} aquatic plants, amongst which the zizania and nelumbium, are particularly worthy of note both for their beauty and importance for economical purposes. A fertile prairie, of the length of four miles by one mile and three quarters wide, is outspread in front of the village, and is bounded near the river by a narrow line of timber.
The inhabitants occupy their village not longer than five months in the year. In April they arrive from their hunting excursions, and in the month of May they attend to their horticultural interests, and plant maize, beans, pumpkins, and water-melons, besides which they cultivate no other vegetable. They also at this season dress the bison skins, which have been procured during the winter hunt, for the traders, who generally appear for the purpose of obtaining them. The young men, in the mean time, are employed in hunting within the distance of seventy or eighty miles around for beaver, otter, deer, musk-rat, elk, &c.
When the trading and planting occupations of the people are terminated, and provisions begin to fail them, which occurs generally in June, the chiefs assemble a council for the purpose of deliberating upon the further arrangements necessary to be made. This assembly decrees a feast to be prepared on a certain day, to which all the distinguished[pg290] men of the nation are to be invited, and one of their number is appointed to have it prepared in his own lodge. On the return of this individual to his dwelling, he petitions his squaws to have pity on him, and proceed to clean and adjust the apartment, to spread the mats and skins for seats, and to collect wood and bring water for cooking. He requests them to provide three or four large kettles, to prepare the maize, and to kill their fattest dog for a feast. The squaws generally murmur at this last proposition, being reluctant to sacrifice these animals, which are so serviceable to them in carrying burdens, like the dogs of the oberrating Tartars; but when they are informed {183} of the honour that awaits them, of feasting all the distinguished men, they undertake their duties with pride and satisfaction.
When they have performed their part, the squaws give notice to the husband, who then calls two or three old public criers to his lodge; he invites them to be seated near him, and after the ceremony of smoking, he addresses them in a low voice, directing them to pass through the village, and invite the individuals whom he names to them, to honour him by their presence at the feast, which is now prepared, "Speak in a loud voice," says he, "and tell them to bring their bowls and spoons." The criers having thus received their instructions, sally out together, and in concert sing aloud as they pass in various directions through the village. In this song of invitation, the names of all the elect are mentioned. Having performed this duty, they return to the lodge, and are soon followed by the chiefs and warriors.
The host seats himself in the back part of the lodge facing the entrance, where he remains during the ceremony. [pg291]
If the host is invested with the dignity of chief, he directs those who enter, where to seat themselves, so that the chiefs may be arranged on one side, and the warriors on the other; if he is a warrior, he seats the principal chief of the village by his side, who whispers in his ear the situation which those who enter ought to occupy; this intimation is repeated aloud by the host.
When the guests are all arranged, the pipe is lighted, and the indispensable ceremony of smoking succeeds.