Legends of The Kaw The Folk-Lore of the Indians of the Kansas River Valley   By: Carrie de Voe

INDIAN FOLK LORE

DE VOE

[Illustration: SCENE IN THE KANSAS VALLEY.]

LEGENDS OF THE KAW

THE FOLK LORE OF THE INDIANS OF THE KANSAS RIVER VALLEY.

BY CARRIE DE VOE.

FRANKLIN HUDSON PUBLISHING CO., KANSAS CITY, MO. 1904.

Copyright, 1904, by FRANKLIN HUDSON PUBLISHING CO., Kansas City, Mo.

CONTENTS.

I.

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY.

The heroes of Kansas in the early days. The first inhabitants. Pathos of Indian traditions and their tragic interest. Interpretation of myths. Tradition of the Mississippi Valley. Theory of a dual soul. Ancient religion of the North American Indians. Ideas of Divinity. Spirits. Communication with the unseen world. Description of heaven, found in the diary of Rev. S. M. Irvin. Algonquin prayer to Father Allouez. The totem . The folk lore of the Indian his literature. Myth of a prehistoric world. The transformation. The burning earth. Formation of the stars. The Water Maiden. The Earth Maiden. Michabou. Worship of the heavenly bodies. Sacrifices. Relation of dogs to the moon. The Horned Serpent. The Prince of Rattlesnakes. Hiawatha, the Indian Messiah. The Red Swan. The Pipe of Peace. Thunder and lightning. The Storm Giant. Rainmakers. The Wild Parsnip. The Spirit of Fire. Fire legend of the Navajos. The Shawnee and Delaware type of life. The imagery of the red man. Knowledge of the fundamental truths of nature. Earliest record of the Middle West. Dominant tribes. The Paducas. The emigrant nations. 15

II.

THE PAWNEES.

Wanderings in Kansas and Nebraska. Origin. The word "Pani." Imitation of wolves. Bands. Tuhk pah huks taht. Skidi rah ru. Tuh wa hok a sha. Tu hi 'ts pi yet. Hunting in ancient times. Weapons. Utensils. Government. Dress. Lodges. Music. Courtship and marriage. Religious ceremonies. The Buffalo Dance. Departure for semi annual buffalo hunt. The surround. Ti rá wa, the Pawnee Deity. The Na hú rac. Sacrifices. The wonderful horse. Homes of the Nu hú rac. The Nu hú rac doctors. Medicine men and priests. Belief in a prehistoric race. Destruction of the giants. Human sacrifices. A Legend of Kansas. Pit a le shar' u. Hostilities against other nations. Villages of the Iowas and Sacs. War with the Iowas, 1839. Battle amid the sunflowers. Sale of Pawnee lands. Removal to the Indian Territory. Success in agriculture. 34

III.

THE SIOUX.

Early home. Wanderings in the Mississippi Basin. Present location. Origin of name. Meaning of word "Dakota." Pantomime. Divisions of nation. Relation of chief to people. Disposition of bodies of the dead. Eagle Eye and Scarlet Dove. Slavery of women. Vanity of men. Language of the feather. Decoration of the person. Plural marriage. Story of Anepetusa. Belief in four souls. A typical prayer. Omens. Worship. Animals in Dakota theology. O an tay hee. The creation. Hay o kah. Taku shkan shkan. Wa keen yan. Unk tay he. Chah o ter dah. Whitte kah gah. Wa hun de dan. Fairies. Giants. Giant's party. Feasts. The Wa keen. Initiation of the medicine men. War parties. War Dance. Sun Dance. Moral code. Degree of manhood. Incidents in the Life of Ta ton ka I o ton ka. Spotted Tail and Red Cloud. Betrothal and death of daughter of Spotted Tail. Water Carrier, the wife of Lone Elk. Present condition of the Sioux. 67

IV.

THE KAWS AND OSAGES.