Members.—Only one woman belongs to this society; but the male members are the following: G¢edan-najin, [P]a¢in-gahige, Muxa-najin, [T]euʞan-ha, Zanzi-mande, Wajiñga, [S]ni-ti¢an, Qi¢a-gahige, [T]enuga-jan-¢iñke, Zizika-jiñga, [K]axe-nanp'in, Cage-duba, Eᴐnan-hañga, Ag¢in-duba, Jiñga-gahige, and Wajin-¢icage.
The members of this society would eat no green corn, fruit, etc., till consecrated by the dance. A few ears of corn were divided among the dancers. Then they could eat as they pleased.
§ 265. Watcí-wa¢upí.—This society has not had a dance for about thirty years among the Omahas. It is like the dance of the Wasejide a¢inma, which has a medicine that resembles that of the [P]a¢in-wasabe in its use. During the day women danced with the men; but at night the men danced alone. This is said to be one of the ancient tribal dances.
§ 266. Wasé-jíde a¢in´-ma, Those who have the Red Paint or Medicine.—This is a society of women dancers. They seldom meet. Their dance is like that of the Watci-wa¢upi. [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ says that the dance is sacred. La Flèche and Two Crows have never seen it. They invite the members to a feast, as do the Wacicka a¢in-ma; but no shooting is done. The men act as singers, while the women dance. All the women are allowed to join in this dance, which is held when the grass is green in the spring. Sometimes a man joins in the dance, but that is the exception. [Frank La Flèche says that men do take part in this dance, and that the women do not carry the medicine.][21]
This society has a medicine consisting of the bottoms of several joints or stalks of a certain kind of grass, which are tied up in bundles. One man carries a bundle in his belt, and the rest are put in a safe place. This is the medicine, according to [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ, which warriors carry. If they meet an enemy they open the bundles and rub the medicine over their bodies to protect them from the missiles of the enemy. They think that this medicine will cause the enemy's guns to miss fire, or else the balls, when sent, will not hit them. The only painting is red, which is on the cheeks, chin, and chest of the dancer. A line is drawn from each corner of the mouth back to the cheek, and there is one made from the lower lip down under the chin, and it is continued down the chest until it is about as low as the heart.
§ 267. The Han´he watcí ([T]ᴐiwere, Han´he wací) is not "The Night Dance," as its name implies. It is an ancient dance, which is not used now. According to [P]a¢in-nanpajĭ, it is "qubé áta," very sacred (for persons), and it is danced in the later fall, when the people have killed a great many deer, or many of the enemy. Two Crows and La Flèche say that it is "úwahéhajĭ, núaʇá¢ican, a bravery dance, pertaining to men;" but they do not know all the particulars. During the day women danced, and the men sang for them. Occasionally a man joined in the dance. At night the men danced alone. But only those who had been captains, or had killed foes, or had brought back horses, or had been warriors, had a right to take part in the dance.
Mr. J. La Flèche said that there was some connection between this society and the Iñg¢an-i¢ae¢e-ma.
The Héde-watcí was a "nikie dance," which occurred on a festival, and in which the whole tribe participated. (See § [153].)
The Wé-watci, or Scalp dance, is the women's dance, in which all join who may so desire. (See War Customs, § [215].)
The Míʞasi watcí, or Coyote dance, is described in the chapter on War Customs, § [203].