Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1901 — The Phonca Sun Dance [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Phonca Sun Dance

The Ponca Indiana on the reservation near White Eagle, Ok., have just lately held their annual sun dance, a ceremony that always attracts more or less of a crowd of curiosity seekers. Two hundred members of the tribe, Including a number of squaws, took part In it and nearly 1,000 of the tribesmen shed the light of their countentnces upon a weird scene. Besides there were » goodly number es whites present, while neighboring tribes of Osages, Kaws and Pawnees helped to swell the motley crowd of spectators. White Eagle, head chief of the Poncas. was master of ceremonies. He is * magnificent specimen of his race, standing over six feet high, erect as the center-pole in his tent and with a

face betokening much intelligence and force of character. The dignity he displayed throughout was worthy of a Roman emperor, and not only did he Inspire his own people with awe, but he called forth the admiration of all the visitors. The scene was both unique and picturesque. The white tepees of the Indians stood in a large circle ou the prairie some distance east of the government agency buildings. To the northward flowed the Arkansas river, whose course is marked by an avenue

of rugged bluffs clothed in verdure. On the summits of some of these bluffs fires had been kindled and the smoke rose from them in blue circles and spread itself over the landscape, giving the semblance of a genuine Indian summer. Large herds of cattle were grazing on the plain, pnd the twinkling of their bells, mellowed by distance, came faintly to the ears of the listeners. In front of the tepees the braves sat stolidly smoking their pipes, while within the squaws were busy preparing viands for the approaching feast that ends the cerembhy. A Time-Honored Observance. For three days and nights the sun dance continues. Once a powerful tribe on the frontier, the Poncas hold to the traditions of their fathers with unusual tenacity. The sun dance, being the principal festival of the year, 1b especially esteemed, and its observance has become, through long continuance, Imperative. Time and environment, it is true, have modified some of its characteristic features, but in the main it is precisely as It has been for a century or more. The custom came to the Poncas from the Sioux long ago, but even at this day in essential details it is the same as the sun dance of the Sioux. The Poncas Bay that the dance is an invocation to the Great Spirit through the power and majesty of the sun for an abundance of food in the coming year and for preservation from disease and evil spirits. It also expresses gratitude for whatever good fortune has come in the past. The literal significance of its customs and of the decorations and equipments of dancers is difficult to learn. Even the most capable students of the sun dance have told little else than how it

was performed, advancing Into perplex* lng uncertainties when they attempted to tell why this or that thing was done. However, the motives that prompt its observance are not faV removed from those that influence the whites in their observance of a day of national thanksgiving.

A Pale-Faced Guest.

For the observance of the sun dance a level plain is selected. A circle is made of the tents of the Indiana and within this the ceremonies take place. On the recent occasion the entrance to this circle was from the east, toward the rising sun, the tepees facing toward the center. First the customary council of the head men was held

to decide upon the program. Only the head chief and his band chiefs have the right to sit in the council of their own volition and the honor of an invitation, seldom conferred, is greatly coveted by Indians whose status is simply membership in the tribe. Unless invited the latter are not even permitted to approach the council tepee. Culpeper county, Virginia, has decided to mark within its boundaries the lines of battles during the civil war.