Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1875 — Social Life Among the Aborigines. [ARTICLE]

Social Life Among the Aborigines.

The Indian f squaws, says a correspondent writing from Red Cloud Agency, are exceedingly interesting to a visitor to the agencies. Their faces are more oval-shaped than the males, and less stern of expression. One might even say they had a pleasing expression. They wear their coal-black hair in two braids hanging down on either side of their head. To one of these braids is fastened a little bag ornamented with beads, and filled with sweet-smelling leaves. Their teeth are better than those of the men, white and even, and rarely decayed. This redeeming feature softens the sensual look of the large mouth and thick lips. Their eyes-are large, almondshaped, and something of a dark brown, sparkling and merry. While it is hard to associate the idea of beauty with a squaw whose garments are dirty,"yet I have seen those whose faces could not fail to please. Their usual garment is a calico dress, called chunwigga-uneka ntinnie-lioa, made in one piece, with flowing sleeves. It is gathered at the waist by a broad leather belt, worked with brass ss beads and ornaments of Gefman silver. This sack is cut short, exposing red-flannel leggings, called hoouska, and buckskin moccasins, handsomely adorned w ith beads and painted porcupine quills. Occasionally a red sack is worn, st udded witn elk teeth, which is highly prized. They wear no covering for the head, either in winter or summer. Occasionally a squaw may be seen in summer time with a variegated umbrella. Pieces of German silver and brass wire are made into finger-rings, and armlets are in common use. Large holes, varying in lengtk-from a half-inch to an inch long; and from a quarter of an inch to a halfinch in xwdth, are cut in the upper and lowef parts of the ear. In these holes are fastened large brass rings, to which are attached turquoise beads, ditided into from, five to ten longitudinal sections. In each section are from three to five beads, fastened together by means of buckskin and raWhide. On the end of this ear-ring is the handsomest portion of a mother-of-pearl shell. I have seen as many as three of these articles of adornment in one ear. A necklace of the same material, and fashioned in the same manner, is worn about the neck. The only weapon carried by a squaw is a knife, called me la, placed in a hand-somely-beaded case and fastened to the waist-belt. For occasions of ceremony and dance the buckskin dress and leggings are donned. These garments are ..ger geons, with bead-wo.rk,_the__s.hQulders__ and sleeves being covered with beads in various devices representing men and animals. The leggings have the same ornaments. They "are expert in the management of horses, and at a distance it is difficult to distinguish a squaw 7 from a “ buck,” as their manner of riding is identical, even to the incessant punching of the ponies’ sides with the heels and beating the beast with a whip. In childhood tiiey play as merrily as white children, making mud-pies, building miniature lodges, and seemingly making the most of their time against the hardships of maturer years. As a rule they all painttheir faces. One of their fashions is to tattoo a small round spot in the center of the forehead and a streak down the center of the inch. __________ The age of womanhood is hailed with gladness by the parents, and is the occasion of rejoicing in the form of a feast, to which are invited all the friends of the family. On this great occasion the joyful fattier of the girl gives aw 7 ay as many ponies, robes and blankets to his friends and the poor of the tribe as his possessions permit. Now the young girl is careful of her personal appearance, as the “ bucks” will watch her. She adorns herself in garments of flaming colors, paints in an extravagant manner, and powders her hair with sweet-smelling leaves. Polygamy is the almost universal practice. There are three modes of marriage. The courtship of one form of marriage is conducted in a singular manner. A young “ buck,” becoming enamored of a young squaw, waits a convenient time, when, approaching stealthily, he wraps his blanket around her, and then, holding her in a firm grasp, pours his tale of.love and devotion into her (sometimes unwilling) ear. This being completed he goes to the father and.the price of the maiden is agreed upon, according to the young man’s wealth; one to three, and sometimes more, ponies are given for the girl. This transaction finished the girl becomes the warrior’s wife, whether she has said “ Yes” or “ No.” There is one thing certain, however, that while she remains with him, she obeys him. The squaw may leave her husband, or rather she may be deserted by him, and then, going back to her family, she is ready to be bought again. There seems no especial ■ regard between the “ buck” and the squaw 7 . In view 7 of this fact the Indian, strangely enough, evinces a strong affection for his children. Where there is no love between man and wife you w’oiild suppose this could not exist. It is nevertheless a fact that the children are dearer to an Indian than his horses. Of course the squaws grow old fast, and soon become ugly hags. At this stage they are treated as an incumbrance. Old men, as well as women, have frequently been left on the prairie to die. A small store of provisions, to sustain life a few days, is given them; this gone, death by starvation follows. This, lam told, is no longer practiced by the agency Indians.