Akak'stiman by Reg Crowshoe Sybille Manneschmidt

Author:Reg Crowshoe, Sybille Manneschmidt [Reg Crowshoe, Sybille Manneschmidt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Anthropology, Cultural & Social, Ethnic Studies, American, Native American Studies
ISBN: 9781552380444
Google: FoxZGjyePW4C
Publisher: University of Calgary Press
Published: 2002-01-15T02:50:47+00:00

Appendix D: The Elk-Woman

Blood Version

This medicine-bonnet was given to a woman who was camping near the Mountains. One day while her husband was away she heard an Elk whistling in the woods. At another time when her husband was away, a man came to the lodge and asked her to go away with him. He told her that he was the Elk that she had heard, and that, if she would go away with him, he would give her some medicine. To this promise she finally consented and went with him into the brush, where he explained to her the whole ceremony. He told her all about the medicine-bonnet, calling in many animals to help give the woman some power. Among these was the Crane, who offered the use of his bill to dig the medicine-turnip. He said his bill was to be carried on the back like the bunch of feathers on his own neck. Then the Crane proceeded to dig with his bill, and as he did so he sang a song, “I wish to be on level ground.”

A robe made of elk-skin, used by the woman in the ceremony, is to represent the Elk himself. The bunches of feathers placed around the bonnet are to represent the prongs of the horns. There are about six bunches in all. In front is hung a doll with quill-work upon it. A white-rock arrowpoint and some ear-rings are hung on the side. There are also two little dolls tied on near the feathers. Weasel-tails hang down by the side. Feathers of the owl are used in making up the bunches on the side of the bonnet, while behind is hung the skin of a woodpecker (?) and part of the tail of a wildcat. There should also be part of the tail of a white buffalo tied on somewhere.

All of these parts were contributed by the animals called together by the man who took the woman into the brush, and each of these animals sang a song as they gave them. The buffalo was there also, and gave its hoofs, which were tied to the end of the digging-stick.

You will see all these things upon the medicine-bonnet; but the present one used by the Blood Indians is a little different from that used by the Peigan.

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