PL. V
LENAPE CEREMONIAL HOUSE NEAR DEWEY, OKLAHOMA
Built of rough logs, the Big House is now provided with a roof of hand-split shingles pierced by two great smoke-holes, as shown in the frontispiece and in [pl. V], [VI], but in former days the roof was of bark. The length is about 40 ft. from east to west, with a height at the eaves of about 6 ft., at the ridge 14 ft., and a width of 24.5 ft. Aside from certain ingenuities of construction which can not be discussed here, its chief interest lies in the two large carvings of the human face, one facing east ([fig. 6]) and one west, which adorn the great central post supporting the ridge-pole. Similar carvings, but smaller, may be seen upon each of the six posts which support the logs forming the sides ([fig. 7]), and still smaller ones, one upon each of the four door-posts. All twelve faces are painted, the right side of each red, the left black. The building is used only for the Annual Ceremony.
Fig. 6.—Central post of Ceremonial House, showing carved face.
Fig. 7.—Side posts of Ceremonial House, showing carved faces.
OFFICERS
The messenger sent to assemble the people is one of three male attendants chosen by the leader, and these three men appoint three women to serve also. To these six attendants, known as aʹckas, falls all the laborious work of the meeting. Although the duties are menial, it is considered quite an honor to be selected as aʹckas. The attendants camp on the north and south sides of the little open square just east of the Big House ([pl. VII]), an area where no one is allowed to pitch a tent.