The Arapaho. 3, Ceremonial organization. Bulletin of the AMNH ; v. 18, article 2.

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Date

1904

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

New York : [Published by order of the Trustees, American Museum of Natural History

DOI

DOI

Abstract

"The Arapaho bäyaa[superscript n]wu consists of a form of the widely spread sun-dance and of a series of men's ceremonies graded by age, and a single but analogous ceremony for women. The men's ceremonies are performed by groups of men of the same age. These companies are not voluntary organization, but consist of all the individuals of a certain age in the tribe. There is a symbolic reference to war in most of the ceremonies; and the companies, or sometimes certain members of them, have social and warlike functions. All the ceremonies are under the direction of the members of the oldest society. Intermediary between these and the dancers are men known as the dancers' grandfathers, who instruct them in the parts to play in the ceremony, and provide them with regalia. The ceremonies are held in a lodge in the centre of the camp-circle, and consist of a three days' period of dancing. Very characteristic of these ceremonies are the numerous degrees of rank, which are indicated by differences in regalia. These differences in rank do not depend at all upon any previous religious experience or training. They have little purpose except their own existence, and are bestowed a marks of honor. While there are many similarities of detail between the sun-dance and the age-ceremonies of the bäyaa[superscript n]wu, due to their being ceremonies of the same tribe, there is nevertheless a fundamental difference in scope and character"--P. 225-226.

Description

p. 151-229, [4] leaves of plates : ill. ; 24 cm.
Includes bibliographical references.

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