In the summer of 1852, a feast of this kind was observed at Shakopee. It
was made by _Anoginajin_, second chief of the Little Six band and others.
After two days spent in introductory ceremonies, including “vapor bath”
and “armor-feast,” a tent was prepared opening towards the east, with
a spacious court in front constructed of bushes. Within the court each
of those who were to participate, had a bush set in which was prepared
a nest. Two pikes, each about one foot long, rouged with vermilion and
ornamented with down from the swan, were placed on some branches of trees
in the enclosure. The fishes were entire as they had been taken from
the water. Near the fishes were placed dishes of birch bark filled with
sweetened water. The implements of war, belonging to the participants,
were solemnly exhibited in the tent. The dancers, who were naked, except
the breech cloth and moccasins, were fantastically smeared with pigments
of various colors, and otherwise ornamented with down, white and red.
Four ranks of chanters and musicians were in attendance. The dancers
claimed to be inspired by the cormorant. They danced to the music of
three ranks of the singers, till their chants closed, taking little
seasons for rest and smoking. When the fourth rank struck the drum and
“_lifted up their voices_,” the inspiration was poured out and the welkin
trembled, and the dancers approached the fishes in a rage, like starving
beasts, and without using their hands, tore off piece after piece,
scales, bones, entrails and all, and swallowed them, drinking at the same
time from their bark dishes. Nothing remained at the close except the
heads, fins and large bones, which they had deposited in their nests.
To end the ceremony, what few articles of clothing had been worn on the
occasion, were offered in sacrifice to the gods.
Thus, while the favor of the TAKU WAKAN was secured, the fact that the
dancers were inspired, was demonstrated to most of the six hundred
wondering spectators. By performances of thousands of wakan things,
such as have been hinted at, these men triumphantly substantiate their
claims to inspiration, and they are fully believed to be “the great
powers of the gods,” and, among their people, hold a position like that
of the THUGS of India. The wakan qualities which these persons possess,
or assume to possess, qualify them to act in any capacity and in any
emergency.