No. 10, represents a woman.
No. 11, is another illustration of the mī´gis, or otter.
No. 12, denotes a priestess who is inspired, as shown by the line extending from the heart to the mouth in [Fig. 7], and simply showing the heart in [Fig. 6]. In the latter she is also empowered to cure with magic plants.
No. 13, in [Fig. 7], although representing a Midē´ priest, no explanation was given.
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Fig. 9.— Esh´gibō´ga. |
[Fig. 9] is presented as a variant of the characters shown in No. 1 of [Figs. 7] and [8]. The fact that this denotes the power of curing by the use of magic plants would appear to indicate an older and more appropriate form than the delineation of the bow and arrows, as well as being more in keeping with the general rendering of the tradition.
[ MIDĒ´WIGÂN.]
Initiation into the Midē´wiwin or Midē´ Society is, at this time, performed during the latter part of summer. The ceremonies are performed in public, as the structure in which they are conducted is often loosely constructed of poles with intertwined branches and leaves, leaving the top almost entirely exposed, so that there is no difficulty in observing what may transpire within. Furthermore, the ritual is unintelligible to the uninitiated, and the important part of the necessary information is given to the candidate in a preceptor’s wig´iwam.
To present intelligibly a description of the ceremonial of initiation as it occurred at White Earth, Minnesota, it will be necessary to first describe the structure in which it occurs, as well as the sweat lodge with which the candidate has also to do.
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Fig. 10.— Diagram of Midē´wigân of the first degree. |