| 4038
GHOST-DANCES IN THE WEST.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MESSIAH CRAZE AND THE GHOST-DANCE.
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION.-There have often happened, in the history of the human race, incidents that were regarded at the time as most trivial, but have later developed into such important and serious questions as to engage the minds of many learned men in their solution.
That there is some special reason for the series of frenzied dances and incantations
which have been continued from time to time in remote portions of the Sioux reservations, no one will deny. It is scarcely probable that a people who own horses and cattle would suddenly, without the glightest warning, return
almost to a man to the executino of a
dance which is so weird and peculiar, so
superstitious and spirit-like, as to rival the
far-farmed Sun Dance.
This special reason is found in the simple truths of Christianity as taught by a
missionary in Utah, but which were distorted
to conform with Indian mythology. It was
when the medicine men and politicians in the
nation began to enlarge upon the wrongs
suffered at the hands of the whites, the scarcity
of food, the presence of the military,
that its general aspect was changed from a
sacred rite to a warlike demonstration.
The Indians located in the Dakotas
have been in the habit of visiting the Utes
and Arapahoes every summer for the purpose
of trading and hunting en route. While the
Sioux are unable to converse with these
tribes, means of communication is possible
through the medium of the sign-language,
which is well understood by all the Indians
throughout the West. Keeps the Battle (Kicizap
Tawa) told me a few days ago that it
was during the visit of the Pine Ridge Sioux
last July that he first heard of the coming of
the new Messiah. He related the following
story:
"Scarcely had my people reached the
Ute village when we heard of a white preacher
whom the Utes held in the highest esteem,
who told a beautiful dream or vision of the
coming of a great and good red man. This
strange person was to set aright the wrongs
of my people; he could restore to us our
game and hunting-grounds, was so powerful
that every wish or word he gave utterance
to became fulfilled.
"His teachings had a strange effect
upon the Utes, and, in obedience to the commands
of this man, they began a Messiah
Dance. My people did not pay much attention
to this dance at first, and it was not
until we took our departure that the matter
began to weigh heavily upon the minds of a
number in the party. As we left the Ute
camp the minister stood with uplifted hands and invoked the blessing of the Great Spirit upon us. He told us to look for the coming of the Saviour; and assured us that he would soon and unexpectedly arrive. He further cautioned us to be watching and ready to accompany him to
OGALLALLA CHIEFS
PINE RIDGE--SIOUX CAMPAIGN, 1891.
| 4038
GHOST-DANCES IN THE WEST.
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MESSIAH CRAZE AND THE GHOST-DANCE.
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION.-There have often happened, in the history of the human race, incidents that were regarded at the time as most trivial, but have later developed into such important and serious questions as to engage the minds of many learned men in their solution.
That there is some special reason for the series of frenzied dances and incantations
which have been continued from time to time in remote portions of the Sioux reservations, no one will deny. It is scarcely probable that a people who own horses and cattle would suddenly, without the glightest warning, return
almost to a man to the executino of a
dance which is so weird and peculiar, so
superstitious and spirit-like, as to rival the
far-farmed Sun Dance.
This special reason is found in the simple truths of Christianity as taught by a
missionary in Utah, but which were distorted
to conform with Indian mythology. It was
when the medicine men and politicians in the
nation began to enlarge upon the wrongs
suffered at the hands of the whites, the scarcity
of food, the presence of the military,
that its general aspect was changed from a
sacred rite to a warlike demonstration.
The Indians located in the Dakotas
have been in the habit of visiting the Utes
and Arapahoes every summer for the purpose
of trading and hunting en route. While the
Sioux are unable to converse with these
tribes, means of communication is possible
through the medium of the sign-language,
which is well understood by all the Indians
throughout the West. Keeps the Battle (Kicizap
Tawa) told me a few days ago that it
was during the visit of the Pine Ridge Sioux
last July that he first heard of the coming of
the new Messiah. He related the following
story:
"Scarcely had my people reached the
Ute village when we heard of a white preacher
whom the Utes held in the highest esteem,
who told a beautiful dream or vision of the
coming of a great and good red man. This
strange person was to set aright the wrongs
of my people; he could restore to us our
game and hunting-grounds, was so powerful
that every wish or word he gave utterance
to became fulfilled.
"His teachings had a strange effect
upon the Utes, and, in obedience to the commands
of this man, they began a Messiah
Dance. My people did not pay much attention
to this dance at first, and it was not
until we took our departure that the matter
began to weigh heavily upon the minds of a
number in the party. As we left the Ute
camp the minister stood with uplifted hands and invoked the blessing of the Great Spirit upon us. He told us to look for the coming of the Saviour; and assured us that he would soon and unexpectedly arrive. He further cautioned us to be watching and ready to accompany him to
OGALLALLA CHIEFS
PINE RIDGE--SIOUX CAMPAIGN, 1891.
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