There was a society for youths from seventeen to nineteen years of age, but its name cannot be recalled by Frank La Flèche. (See §§ [18], [111], [130].)
DANCING SOCIETIES.
§ 247. The dancing societies of the Omahas and Ponkas may be divided into the following classes: 1. Those which are "waqube," or sacred, including those connected with the practice of medicine. 2. Those that are "úwacúce-aʇá¢ican," or connected with bravery and war. 3. Those that are "újawa-ʇá¢ican," or merely for social pleasure. They admit of another classification, i. e., 1. Those of native origin; and, 2,. such as have been introduced or purchased from other tribes.
§ 248. The Wacicka dance.—The Wacícka a¢in´-ma or Wacícka a¢in´-watcígaxe is the name of the principal society. The [T]ᴐiwere name for it is "Wacúckanyi." This society appears to exist under different names among many tribes besides the Omahas, including the Winnebagos, Dakotas, and Odjibwe or Chippewas.
The writer has received conflicting accounts of the character of this dance. [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ spoke of it as one that was "waspe," well-behaved. Mr. J. La Flèche and Two Crows used the following expressions with reference to it: "Úʞiju gáxai," it tended to pride; "úgactañka gáxai," it tended to temptation; "úman¢an gáxai," it tended to theft; "úmin¢íg¢an gaxai," it tended to concupiscence; "íqta-hnani," they used to abuse persons; "watcí," cum aliquibus coiverunt. The dancers used to dress so as to attract those of the opposite sex. The leaders or "í¢ig¢an" of the dance are G¢edan-najin and [P]edegahi. The other members whose names are remembered by Two Crows and others are Wackan-man¢in, Duba-man¢in, Majan-kide, Cañge-skă, Jiñga-gahige, Han-akipa, the wives of G¢edannajin, [P]ede-gahi, and Wackan-man¢in, [K]e-baha's mother, and [K]anze-hañga's mother's sister. "Besides these are Muxa-najin, Jiñga-gahige's mother, Wackan-man¢in's son, Umanhan-tanwañg¢an, and many others." (Frank La Flèche.) The full number is nineteen. All the chiefs can belong to this society, and their younger brothers, wives, eldest daughters, and sisters' sons are eligible. Wahan-¢iñge's larger wife, Anpan-ʇañga's sister, used to be a member.
Not over five can carry otter-skin bags in the dance. Four of these are Duba-man¢in, Jiñga-gahige, Cañge-skă, and Majan-kide. G¢edan-najin is one of the two that can carry bags made of the skins of the siñga or flying-squirrels. Han-akipa carries a bag made of the skin of a miʞa-skă or "white raccoon." This is a modern addition. [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ said that some have bags of the skin of the mázanhe, an animal resembling an otter; it is covered with black and reddish-yellow hair; its tail is bushy, and the hair is thick. J. La Flèche and Two Crows said that this kind of bag was not used by the Omahas. The parents of G¢edan-najin ([T]e-san and wife) carried a bag of black bear skin, but the son did not inherit it.
If they cannot have the regular kind of bags, some make bags of the skins of muskrats, or of any other animal which they can obtain.
All who have no skin bags carry fans of eagles' wings. All the bags are called "Hi-úgaqíxe," a term meaning "A skin with the teeth of the animal attached," and they are used as nini-ujiha, or tobacco pouches. The noses of all the animals (i. e., those on the bags) were painted blue. Of the otter-skin bags about two had each a red feather placed crosswise in the mouth of the animal.
§ 249. This dance is held in the spring of the year, beginning on a good day, when the grass is about six inches high. After an intermission of a few days they may have the dance again, if they wish; then, after a similar intermission, they may repeat it, and so on.
Before holding the dance one of the members, an old man, says to the leaders, "Do consider the subject; I will boil (for the feast)." They reply, "Yes, we will have it; you can boil." Then the members must borrow two drums, four gourd rattles, and two pillows. These articles must always be borrowed, as it would be wrong for the members to make or furnish them. Four persons undertake the boiling for the feast. Some brave men are selected to act as "quʞa," part of whom, however, are members of the society. Two are appointed to beat the drums, and four to beat the rattles on the pillows. These six performers are not members of the society.