Fig. 10.—Drum made of dried deerskin used at the Annual Ceremony. (Length 38.2 in.)
After the chief’s speech, the leader arises from his place just north of the central post, and, rapidly shaking a rattle (taxoʹxi cowŭniʹgŭn) made of a box-tortoise shell ([fig. 9]), recites his vision in a high monotone, word by word. After he utters each word, he pauses an instant to give the singers sitting at the rolled dry deerskin called powŭniʹgŭn which serves as a drum ([fig. 10]), ample time to repeat the same word in the same tone, which produces an extraordinary effect. When he finishes, the drummers beat rapidly on the dry hide, repeating “Ho-o-o!” a number of times.
PL. VII
PLAN OF LENAPE CEREMONIAL HOUSE AND GROUNDS NEAR DEWEY, OKLAHOMA
Then the celebrant repeats a verse of his song in the same way, and the drummers, having learned the words, sing them to a dance tune, beating the drum in slower time. After dancing awhile, the celebrator whoops, and they stop; then another similar verse, if not the same, is recited and then sung.
When the leader dances, he circles about the two fires contra-clockwise, and those who wish may join in the dance and follow him ([pl. VI]).
His dance finished, the leader passes the turtleshell to the next man who has been blessed with a vision. This one has the privilege of singing his vision if he wishes; if not, it is handed to the next “dreamer.” After a celebrant has taken his seat, it is customary for those who desire it to smoke until the next man is ready to commence. At this time also it is considered proper for the people to enter or leave the Big House, which is not permitted while the actual ceremony is in progress. When the turtle rattle has thus made the round of the building and gets back to its starting point, the meeting is brought to a close. This is usually along toward morning, the exact time of course being dependent on the number who have sung their visions, and on the length of the intermissions.
CONCLUSION OF RITES
Now, when the man who started the ceremonies begins to dance, that is a signal for two of the women aʹckas, or attendants, to go out and pound corn for hominy or meal, and two of their men colleagues cook it in the kettle hanging on the pole, so that it is ready when the turtle has made its rounds and the meeting is about to close. Then the repast of hominy or corn mush called säʹpan is distributed, and the speaker says, “We will now pray twelve times,” so twelve times they cry “Ho-o-o!” as a prayer. Then they feast, using musselshells from the river as spoons, and finally the speaker dismisses them with the words, “This is all for tonight; tomorrow night we will meet again.”