Wah-Kee-Nah and Her People; The Curious Customs, Traditions, and Legends of the North American Indians (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1893. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE Iroquois were very fond of dancing, always indulging in it as a part of their religious ceremonies, as well as upon festival occasions. Their religious dances were performed with slow and solemn tread, while their festive dances were in light and lively measure. The great dance, however, which called forth all the energy, endurance, and enthusiasm of the performers, and threw them, as well as the spectators, into the wildest excitement, was the war dance. Every Indian nation indulged in it, but nearly every tribe had a different manner of executing this highly dramatic performance. That of the Iroquois gave free license to each individual to make himself as frightful in appearance as possible, and to illustrate any act of daring that might be conjured in his excited brain. None but the warriors took part in this dance, and each dressed himself in the most hideous costume (principally paint) that his fancy could devise, the leading idea being that his terrible appearance in battle would tend to fill his enemy with dismay, and thus make victory more easy. In this we see a close resemblance to those Old-World warriors of not many centuries ago, who covered their armor with the skins of wild beasts, leaving head and ears erect, and open mouths showing savage teeth to terrify the foe. The Indian added to this frightful make-up the blood-curdling war-whoop; and I will say, having had some experience in the matter, that if there is any sound on earth that will take the color from the white man's cheek quicker or more effectually than the war-whoop of the Indian breaking upon his waking ear, I have yet to hear it. The dance itself was an imitation battle; arrows flew thick and fast; the tomahawk was wildly brandished on high to imitate its deadly work; each scalp su...