the soul of the indian(尤安人之魂)-第9节
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self…control were early established； and there were no unnatural conditions
or complex temptations to beset him until he was met and overthrown by a
stronger race。
To keep the young men and young women strictly to their honor； there
were observed among us； within my own recollection； certain annual
ceremonies of a semi…religious nature。 One of the most impressive of
these was the sacred 〃Feast of Virgins；〃 which； when given for the first
time； was equivalent to the public announcement of a young girl's arrival
at a marriageable age。 The herald； making the rounds of the teepee
village； would publish the feast something after this fashion：
〃Pretty Weasel…woman； the daughter of Brave Bear； will kindle her
first maidens' fire to…morrow！ All ye who have never yielded to the
pleading of man； who have not destroyed your innocency； you alone are
invited； to proclaim anew before the Sun and the Earth； before your
companions and in the sight of the Great Mystery； the chastity and purity
of your maidenhood。 Come ye； all who have not known man！〃
The whole village was at once aroused to the interest of the coming
event； which was considered next to the Sun Dance and the Grand
Medicine Dance in public importance。 It always took place in
midsummer； when a number of different clans were gathered together for
the summer festivities； and was held in the centre of the great circular
encampment。
Here two circles were described； one within the other； about a rudely
heart…shaped rock which was touched with red paint； and upon either side
of the rock there were thrust into the ground a knife and two arrows。 The
inner circle was for the maidens； and the outer one for their grandmothers
or chaperones； who were supposed to have passed the climacteric。 Upon
the outskirts of the feast there was a great public gathering； in which order
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was kept by certain warriors of highest reputation。 Any man among the
spectators might approach and challenge any young woman whom he
knew to be unworthy； but if the accuser failed to prove his charge； the
warriors were accustomed to punish him severely。
Each girl in turn approached the sacred rock and laid her hand upon it
with all solemnity。 This was her religious declaration of her virginity； her
vow to remain pure until her marriage。 If she should ever violate the
maidens' oath； then welcome that keen knife and those sharp arrows！
Our maidens were ambitious to attend a number of these feasts before
marriage； and it sometimes happened that a girl was compelled to give one；
on account of gossip about her conduct。 Then it was in the nature of a
challenge to the scandal… mongers to prove their words！ A similar feast
was sometimes made by the young men； for whom the rules were even
more strict； since no young man might attend this feast who had so much
as spoken of love to a maiden。 It was considered a high honor among us
to have won some distinction in war and the chase； and above all to have
been invited to a seat in the council； before one had spoken to any girl
save his own sister。
It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be
overcome。 Its appeal is to the material part； and if allowed its way it will
in time disturb the spiritual balance of the man。 Therefore the child must
early learn the beauty of generosity。 He is taught to give what he prizes
most； and that he may taste the happiness of giving； he is made at an early
age the family almoner。 If a child is inclined to be grasping； or to cling to
any of his little possessions； legends are related to him； telling of the
contempt and disgrace falling upon the ungenerous and mean man。
Public giving is a part of every important ceremony。 It properly
belongs to the celebration of birth； marriage； and death； and is observed
whenever it is desired to do special honor to any person or event。 Upon
such occasions it is common to give to the point of utter impoverishment。
The Indian in his simplicity literally gives away all that he has； to relatives；
to guests of another tribe or clan； but above all to the poor and the aged；
from whom he can hope for no return。 Finally； the gift to the 〃Great
Mystery；〃 the religious offering； may be of little value in itself； but to the
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giver's own thought it should carry the meaning and reward of true
sacrifice。
Orphans and the aged are invariably cared for； not only by their next of
kin； but by the whole clan。 It is the loving parent's pride to have his
daughters visit the unfortunate and the helpless； carry them food； comb
their hair； and mend their garments。 The name 〃Wenonah；〃 bestowed
upon the eldest daughter； distinctly implies all this； and a girl who failed in
her charitable duties was held to be unworthy of the name。
The man who is a skillful hunter； and whose wife is alive to her
opportunities； makes many feasts； to which he is careful to invite the older
men of his clan； recognizing that they have outlived their period of
greatest activity； and now love nothing so well as to eat in good company；
and to live over the past。 The old men； for their part； do their best to
requite his liberality with a little speech； in which they are apt to relate the
brave and generous deeds of their host's ancestors； finally congratulating
him upon being a worthy successor of an honorable line。 Thus his
reputation is won as a hunter and a feast…maker； and almost as famous in
his way as the great warrior is he who has a recognized name and standing
as a 〃man of peace。〃
The true Indian sets no price upon either his property or his labor。
His generosity is only limited by his strength and ability。 He regards it as
an honor to be selected for a difficult or dangerous service； and would
think it shame to ask for any reward； saying rather： 〃Let him whom I serve
express his thanks according to his own bringing up and his sense of
honor！〃
Nevertheless； he recognizes rights in property。 To steal from one of
his own tribe would be indeed disgrace； and if discovered； the name of
〃Wamanon；〃 or Thief； is fixed upon him forever as an unalterable stigma。
The only exception to the rule is in the case of food； which is always free
to the hungry if there is none by to offer it。 Other protection than the
moral law there could not be in an Indian community； where there were
neither locks nor doors； and everything was open and easy of access to all
comers。
The property of the enemy is spoil of war； and it is always allowable to
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confiscate it if possible。 However； in the old days there was not much
plunder。 Before the coming of the white man； there was in fact little
temptation or opportunity to despoil the enemy； but in modern times the
practice of 〃stealing horses〃 from hostile tribes has become common； and
is thought far from dishonorable。
Warfare we regarded as an institution of the 〃Great Mystery〃 an
organized tournament or trial of courage and skill； with elaborate rules and
〃counts〃 for the coveted honor of the eagle feather。 It was held to
develop the quality of manliness and its motive was chivalric or patriotic；
but never the desire for territorial aggrandizement or the overthrow of a
brother nation。 It was common； in early times； for a battle or skirmish to
last all day； with great display of daring and horsemanship； bu
