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INDIAN BOYHOOD BY OHIYESA
VIII The Maidens' Feast
THERE were many peculiar cus… toms among the Indians of an earlier
period； some of which tended to strengthen the charac… ter 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 rene… gade Sioux on the one
hand and of the Assini… boines 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； involv… ing 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
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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 en… tertainments。 This
particular feast was looked upon as a semi…sacred affair。 It would be
dese… cration 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 un…
worthy。 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 cone… shaped 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 as… signed 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
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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 es… pecially 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 in… ner one。 The old women watched every move… ment 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
horseman… ship； 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 assem… bled； and the maidens
came shyly into the circle。 The simple ceremonies observed prior to the
serv… ing 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
ner… vously toward the scene of the disturbance。 Soon a tall youth