the soul of the indian(尤安人之魂)-第5章
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taste their apotheosis alone with nature。 The betrothal might or might not
be discussed and approved by the parents； but in either case it was
customary for the young pair to disappear into the wilderness； there to
pass some days or weeks in perfect seclusion and dual solitude； afterward
returning to the village as man and wife。 An exchange of presents and
entertainments between the two families usually followed； but the nuptial
blessing was given by the High Priest of God； the most reverend and holy
Nature。
The family was not only the social unit； but also the unit of
government。 The clan is nothing more than a larger family； with its
patriarchal chief as the natural head； and the union of several clans by
intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe。 The very
name of our tribe； Dakota； means Allied People。 The remoter degrees of
kinship were fully recognized； and that not as a matter of form only： first
cousins were known as brothers and sisters； the name of 〃cousin〃
constituted a binding claim； and our rigid morality forbade marriage
between cousins in any known degree； or in other words within the clan。
The household proper consisted of a man with one or more wives and
their children； all of whom dwelt amicably together； often under one roof；
although some men of rank and position provided a separate lodge for
each wife。 There were； indeed； few plural marriages except among the
older and leading men； and plural wives were usually； though not
necessarily； sisters。 A marriage might honorably be dissolved for cause；
but there was very little infidelity or immorality； either open or secret。
It has been said that the position of woman is the test of civilization；
and that of our women was secure。 In them was vested our standard of
morals and the purity of our blood。 The wife did not take the name of
her husband nor enter his clan； and the children belonged to the clan of the
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
mother。 All of the family property was held by her； descent was traced in
the maternal line； and the honor of the house was in her hands。 Modesty
was her chief adornment； hence the younger women were usually silent
and retiring： but a woman who had attained to ripeness of years and
wisdom； or who had displayed notable courage in some emergency； was
sometimes invited to a seat in the council。
Thus she ruled undisputed within her own domain； and was to us a
tower of moral and spiritual strength； until the coming of the border white
man； the soldier and trader； who with strong drink overthrew the honor of
the man； and through his power over a worthless husband purchased the
virtue of his wife or his daughter。 When she fell； the whole race fell with
her。
Before this calamity came upon us； you could not find anywhere a
happier home than that created by the Indian woman。 There was nothing
of the artificial about her person； and very little disingenuousness in her
character。 Her early and consistent training； the definiteness of her
vocation； and； above all； her profoundly religious attitude gave her a
strength and poise that could not be overcome by any ordinary misfortune。
Indian names were either characteristic nicknames given in a playful
spirit； deed names； birth names； or such as have a religious and symbolic
meaning。 It has been said that when a child is born； some accident or
unusual appearance determines his name。 This is sometimes the case；
but is not the rule。 A man of forcible character； with a fine war record；
usually bears the name of the buffalo or bear； lightning or some dread
natural force。 Another of more peaceful nature may be called Swift Bird
or Blue Sky。 A woman's name usually suggested something about the
home； often with the adjective 〃pretty〃 or 〃good；〃 and a feminine
termination。 Names of any dignity or importance must be conferred by
the old men； and especially so if they have any spiritual significance； as
Sacred Cloud； Mysterious Night； Spirit Woman； and the like。 Such a
name was sometimes borne by three generations； but each individual must
prove that he is worthy of it。
In the life of the Indian there was only one inevitable duty；the duty
of prayerthe daily recognition of the Unseen and Eternal。 His daily
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THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
devotions were more necessary to him than daily food。 He wakes at
daybreak； puts on his moccasins and steps down to the water's edge。
Here he throws handfuls of clear； cold water into his face； or plunges in
bodily。 After the bath； he stands erect before the advancing dawn； facing
the sun as it dances upon the horizon； and offers his unspoken orison。
His mate may precede or follow him in his devotions； but never
accompanies him。 Each soul must meet the morning sun； the new； sweet
earth； and the Great Silence alone！
Whenever； in the course of the daily hunt； the red hunter comes upon a
scene that is strikingly beautiful or sublimea black thundercloud with the
rainbow's glowing arch above the mountain； a white waterfall in the heart
of a green gorge； a vast prairie tinged with the blood…red of sunsethe
pauses for an instant in the attitude of worship。 He sees no need for
setting apart one day in seven as a holy day； since to him all days are
God's。
Every act of his life is； in a very real sense； a religious act。 He
recognizes the spirit in all creation； and believes that he draws from it
spiritual power。 His respect for the immortal part of the animal； his
brother； often leads him so far as to lay out the body of his game in state
and decorate the head with symbolic paint or feathers。 Then he stands
before it in the prayer attitude； holding up the filled pipe； in token that he
has freed with honor the spirit of his brother； whose body his need
compelled him to take to sustain his own life。
When food is taken； the woman murmurs a 〃grace〃 as she lowers the
kettle； an act so softly and unobtrusively performed that one who does not
know the custom usually fails to catch the whisper： 〃Spirit； partake！〃 As
her husband receives the bowl or plate； he likewise murmurs his
invocation to the spirit。 When he becomes an old man； he loves to make
a notable effort to prove his gratitude。 He cuts off the choicest morsel of
the meat and casts it into the firethe purest and most ethereal element。
The hospitality of the wigwam is only limited by the institution of war。
Yet； if an enemy should honor us with a call； his trust will not be
misplaced； and he will go away convinced that he has met with a roya
