These are only a few of the dreadful things that have been told of
sun-dance tortures. They are taken from a description given by an Indian
named George Bushotter. He not only described the dance, but drew a
curious lot of rude pictures showing it.
Years before, George Catlin saw the sun dance of the Mandans, and left
four terrible pictures of it. The celebration at that time among the
Mandans exceeded in the horror of its tortures that which we have
described.
While these tortures were going on in the dancing lodge, all sorts of
things were being done outside. The old women danced. Songs were sung in
honor of the young men. Children were gathered together and their ears
were pierced. Presents were given away. A double fence of poles connected
the house of preparation and the dance house, and upon it objects of all
kinds were hung. These were free gifts to any one who chose to take them.
From the time the sacred tree was set up until the dance was over, the
young men taking part fasted and took no drink. While they suffered, and
as they gazed at the sun or lifted up their hands toward it, they
continually prayed, saying, “Please pity me; bring to pass the things I
desire.” When all was over, the young men were taken home, and each was
given four sips of water and a bit of food. A little later they might eat
all they liked. Then they went into the sweat lodge. They were now
through, and ever after might boast of having danced to Wakantanka.
J. OWEN DORSEY.—Missionary, ethnologist. Was connected with the
Bureau of Ethnology. Wrote many papers, one of which is _Siouan
Cults_.