THERE were many peculiar customs among the Indians of an earlier period,
some of which tended to strengthen the character of the people and
preserve their purity. Perhaps the most unique of these was the annual
“feast of maidens.” The casual observer would scarcely understand the
full force and meaning of this ceremony.
The last one that I ever witnessed was given at Fort Ellis, Manitoba,
about the year 1871. Upon the table land just back of the old trading
post and fully a thousand feet above the Assiniboine river, surrounded
by groves, there was a natural amphitheatre. At one end stood the old
fort where since 1830 the northern tribes had come to replenish their
powder horns and lead sacks and to dispose of their pelts.
In this spot there was a reunion of all the renegade Sioux on the one
hand and of the Assiniboines and Crees, the Canadian tribes, on the
other. They were friendly. The matter was not formally arranged, but it
was usual for all the tribes to meet here in the month of July.
The Hudson Bay Company always had a good supply of red, blue, green and
white blankets, also cloth of brilliant dye, so that when their summer
festival occurred the Indians did not lack gayly colored garments.
Paints were bought by them at pleasure. Short sleeves were the fashion
in their buckskin dresses, and beads and porcupine quills were the
principal decorations.
When circumstances are favorable, the Indians are the happiest people in
the world. There were entertainments every single day, which everybody
had the fullest opportunity to see and enjoy. If anything, the poorest
profited the most by these occasions, because a feature in each case was
the giving away of savage wealth to the needy in honor of the event. At
any public affair, involving the pride and honor of a prominent family,
there must always be a distribution of valuable presents.
One bright summer morning, while we were still at our meal of jerked
buffalo meat, we heard the herald of the Wahpeton band upon his calico
pony as he rode around our circle.
“White Eagle’s daughter, the maiden Red Star, invites all the maidens
of all the tribes to come and partake of her feast. It will be in the
Wahpeton camp, before the sun reaches the middle of the sky. All pure
maidens are invited. Red Star also invites the young men to be present,
to see that no unworthy maiden should join in the feast.”
The herald soon completed the rounds of the different camps, and it was
not long before the girls began to gather in great numbers. The fort
was fully alive to the interest of these savage entertainments. This
particular feast was looked upon as a semi-sacred affair. It would be
desecration for any to attend who was not perfectly virtuous. Hence
it was regarded as an opportune time for the young men to satisfy
themselves as to who were the virtuous maids of the tribe.
There were apt to be surprises before the end of the day. Any young man
was permitted to challenge any maiden whom he knew to be unworthy. But
woe to him who could not prove his case. It meant little short of death
to the man who endeavored to disgrace a woman without cause.
The youths had a similar feast of their own, in which the eligibles were
those who had never spoken to a girl in the way of courtship. It was
considered ridiculous so to do before attaining some honor as a warrior,
and the novices prided themselves greatly upon their self control.
From the various camps the girls came singly or in groups, dressed in
bright-colored calicoes or in heavily fringed and beaded buckskin. Their
smooth cheeks and the central part of their glossy hair was touched with
vermilion. All brought with them wooden basins to eat from. Some who
came from a considerable distance were mounted upon ponies; a few, for
company or novelty’s sake, rode double.
The maidens’ circle was formed about a coneshaped rock which stood upon
its base. This was painted red. Beside it two new arrows were lightly
stuck into the ground. This is a sort of altar, to which each maiden
comes before taking her assigned place in the circle, and lightly
touches first the stone and then the arrows. By this oath she declares
her purity. Whenever a girl approaches the altar there is a stir among
the spectators, and sometimes a rude youth would call out:
“Take care! You will overturn the rock, or pull out the arrows!”
Such a remark makes the girls nervous, and especially one who is not
sure of her composure.
Immediately behind the maidens’ circle is the old women’s or chaperons’
circle. This second circle is almost as interesting to look at as the
inner one. The old women watched every movement of their respective
charges with the utmost concern, having previously instructed them how
they should conduct themselves in any event.
There was never a more gorgeous assembly of the kind than this one.
The day was perfect. The Crees, displaying their characteristic
horsemanship, came in groups; the Assiniboines, with their curious
pompadour well covered with red paint. The various bands of Sioux all
carefully observed the traditional peculiarities of dress and behavior.
The attaches of the fort were fully represented at the entertainment,
and it was not unusual to see a pale-face maiden take part in the feast.
The whole population of the region had assembled, and the maidens came
shyly into the circle. The simple ceremonies observed prior to the
serving of the food were in progress, when among a group of Wahpeton
Sioux young men there was a stir of excitement. All the maidens glanced
nervously toward the scene of the disturbance. Soon a tall youth emerged
from the throng of spectators and advanced toward the circle. Every one
of the chaperons glared at him as if to deter him from his purpose. But
with a steady step he passed them by and approached the maidens’ circle.
At last he stopped behind a pretty Assiniboine maiden of good family and
said:
“I am sorry, but, according to custom, you should not be here.”
The girl arose in confusion, but she soon recovered her self-control.
“What do you mean?” she demanded, indignantly. “Three times you have
come to court me, but each time I have refused to listen to you. I
turned my back upon you. Twice I was with Mashtinna. She can tell the
people that this is true. The third time I had gone for water when you
intercepted me and begged me to stop and listen. I refused because I did
not know you. My chaperon, Makatopawee, knows that I was gone but a few
minutes. I never saw you anywhere else.”
The young man was unable to answer this unmistakable statement of facts,
and it became apparent that he had sought to revenge himself for her
repulse.
“Woo! woo! Carry him out!” was the order of the chief of the Indian
police, and the audacious youth was hurried away into the nearest ravine
to be chastised.
The young woman who had thus established her good name returned to the
circle, and the feast was served. The “maidens’ song” was sung, and four
times they danced in a ring around the altar. Each maid as she departed
once more took her oath to remain pure until she should meet her
husband.