On the Indian Trail by Egerton Ryerson Young

Author:Egerton Ryerson Young [Young, Egerton Ryerson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religious, General, Christian, Religion, Fiction
ISBN: 9780554305660
Publisher: BiblioBazaar
Published: 2008-08-14T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN. THE NEW YEAR'S INDIAN FEAST.

From time immemorial the Indians have been noted for the number of their feasts. Some of these—as the New Moon and the First-Fruits of the corn, celebrated, by a part of the tribes—were generally innocent, seeming to point to some Jewish origin in the dim past; others—such as the feast of the dogs when the poor animals were wantonly torn to pieces—were loathsome in the extreme.

As soon as the missionaries succeeded in getting the red men to listen to the Gospel, they insisted upon the suppression of the sinful feasts; especially as they were more or less associated with their ideas of worship. Even the dog feast was considered “good medicine” to propitiate the evil spirits: for the dogs were prized by the Indian next to his children, and sacrificing them was making a very great offering.

When the missionaries went among the Northern Wood Crees, they met with a great degree of success in winning the people from their pagan superstitions. They, of course, insisted upon the entire giving up of all the objectionable habits and customs of their past life; and among them, their sinful feasts. However, they did not try to root the word out of their language; but as a substitute for what was so wrong, organised a Christian festival. This great feast was celebrated on New Year's day—unless that day happened to fall on Sunday, when it was held on the day following—at Norway House, the largest mission station in those days.

Preparations for it were begun many months in advance. A great Indian council would be held at which, as a mere formality, the question would be first asked: “Are we to have the great feast this year?”

This would be carried unanimously, and—for Indians—with great applause. The next question which required more time for answering would be: “What is each man prepared to give as his contribution toward the feast?”

Very strange at first seemed the answers. Mamanowatum, a big Indian moose-hunter, would say:

“I have discovered the trail of a moose. I will give half of the animal—and his nose.”

The moose nose is considered a great delicacy. Moose meat is the best of all venison; and Mamanowatum was a most successful hunter. So this splendid contribution, although the moose had yet to be shot, and was hard to kill, would be recorded with great pleasure.

Then Soquatum would say; “I have discovered a bear's den. I will give half the bear to the feast—and all the paws.”

This generous contribution would also meet with much approval, for the beat's paws are likewise among the great delicacies of the country.

Mustagan would speak next, and would say; “I know where there is a large beaver house, and I will give five beavers—and ten tails.”

This donation would also meet with great satisfaction, as beavers are capital eating, and their great broad tails, together with the moose's nose and the bear's paws, constitute the principal delicacies of the country.

Rapidly would the hunters rise up one after another

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