按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
since been deemed essential to the Indian's effort to purify and recreate his
spirit。 It is used both by the doctor and by his patient。 Every man must
enter the cleansing bath and take the cold plunge which follows； when
preparing for any spiritual crisis； for possible death； or imminent danger。
Not only the 〃eneepee〃 itself； but everything used in connection with
the mysterious event； the aromatic cedar and sage； the water； and
especially the water…worn boulders； are regarded as sacred； or at the least
adapted to a spiritual use。 For the rock we have a special reverent name
〃Tunkan；〃 a contraction of the Sioux word for Grandfather。
The natural boulder enters into many of our solemn ceremonials； such
as the 〃Rain Dance；〃 and the 〃Feast of Virgins。〃 The lone hunter and
warrior reverently holds up his filled pipe to 〃Tunkan；〃 in solitary
commemoration of a miracle which to him is as authentic and holy as the
raising of Lazarus to the devout Christian。
There is a legend that the First Man fell sick； and was taught by his
Elder Brother the ceremonial use of the pipe； in a prayer to the spirits for
ease and relief。 This simple ceremony is the commonest daily expression
of thanks or 〃grace；〃 as well as an oath of loyalty and good faith when the
26
… Page 27…
THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
warrior goes forth upon some perilous enterprise； and it enters even into
his 〃hambeday；〃 or solitary prayer； ascending as a rising vapor or incense
to the Father of Spirits。
In all the war ceremonies and in medicine a special pipe is used； but at
home or on the hunt the warrior employs his own。 The pulverized weed
is mixed with aromatic bark of the red willow； and pressed lightly into the
bowl of the long stone pipe。 The worshiper lights it gravely and takes a
whiff or two； then； standing erect； he holds it silently toward the Sun； our
father； and toward the earth； our mother。 There are modern variations； as
holding the pipe to the Four Winds； the Fire； Water； Rock； and other
elements or objects of reverence。
There are many religious festivals which are local and special in
character； embodying a prayer for success in hunting or warfare； or for
rain and bountiful harvests； but these two are the sacraments of our
religion。 For baptism we substitute the 〃eneepee；〃 the purification by
vapor； and in our holy communion we partake of the soothing incense of
tobacco in the stead of bread and wine。
27
… Page 28…
THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
IV BARBARISM AND THE
MORAL CODE
Silence the Corner…Stone of Character。 Basic Ideas of Morality。
〃Give All or Nothing！〃 Rules of Honorable Warfare。 An Indian
Conception of Courage。
Long before I ever heard of Christ； or saw a white man； I had learned
from an untutored woman the essence of morality。 With the help of dear
Nature herself； she taught me things simple but of mighty import。 I knew
God。 I perceived what goodness is。 I saw and loved what is really
beautiful。 Civilization has not taught me anything better！
As a child； I understood how to give； I have forgotten that grace since
I became civilized。 I lived the natural life； whereas I now live the
artificial。 Any pretty pebble was valuable to me then； every growing tree
an object of reverence。 Now I worship with the white man before a
painted landscape whose value is estimated in dollars！ Thus the Indian is
reconstructed； as the natural rocks are ground to powder； and made into
artificial blocks which may be built into the walls of modern society。
The first American mingled with his pride a singular humility。
Spiritual arrogance was foreign to his nature and teaching。 He never
claimed that the power of articulate speech was proof of superiority over
the dumb creation； on the other hand； it is to him a perilous gift。 He
believes profoundly in silencethe sign of a perfect equilibrium。 Silence
is the absolute poise or balance of body； mind； and spirit。 The man who
preserves his selfhood ever calm and unshaken by the storms of existence…
…not a leaf； as it were； astir on the tree； not a ripple upon the surface of
shining poolhis； in the mind of the unlettered sage； is the ideal attitude
and conduct of life。
If you ask him： 〃What is silence？〃 he will answer： 〃It is the Great
Mystery！〃 〃The holy silence is His voice！〃 If you ask： 〃What are the
fruits of silence？〃 he will say： 〃They are self…control； true courage or
endurance； patience； dignity； and reverence。 Silence is the cornerstone of
character。〃
28
… Page 29…
THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
〃Guard your tongue in youth；〃 said the old chief； Wabashaw； 〃and in
age you may mature a thought that will be of service to your people！〃
The moment that man conceived of a perfect body； supple；
symmetrical； graceful； and enduringin that moment he had laid the
foundation of a moral life！ No man can hope to maintain such a temple
of the spirit beyond the period of adolescence； unless he is able to curb his
indulgence in the pleasures of the senses。 Upon this truth the Indian built
a rigid system of physical training； a social and moral code that was the
law of his life。
There was aroused in him as a child a high ideal of manly strength and
beauty； the attainment of which must depend upon strict temperance in
eating and in the sexual relation； together with severe and persistent
exercise。 He desired to be a worthy link in the generations； and that he
might not destroy by his weakness that vigor and purity of blood which
had been achieved at the cost of much self…denial by a long line of
ancestors。
He was required to fast from time to time for short periods； and to
work off his superfluous energy by means of hard running； swimming； and
the vapor…bath。 The bodily fatigue thus induced； especially when
coupled with a reduced diet； is a reliable cure for undue sexual desires。
Personal modesty was early cultivated as a safeguard； together with a
strong self…respect and pride of family and race。 This was accomplished
in part by keeping the child ever before the public eye； from his birth
onward。 His entrance into the world； especially in the case of the first…
born； was often publicly announced by the herald； accompanied by a
distribution of presents to the old and needy。 The same thing occurred
when he took his first step； when his ears were pierced； and when he shot
his first game； so that his childish exploits and progress were known to the
whole clan as to a larger family； and he grew into manhood with the
saving sense of a reputation to sustain。
The youth was encouraged to enlist early in the public service； and to
develop a wholesome ambition for the honors of a leader and feast…maker；
which can never be his unless he is truthful and generous； as well as brave；
and ever mindful of his personal chastity and honor。 There were many
29
… Page 30…
THE SOUL OF THE INDIAN
ceremonial customs which had a distinct moral influence； the woman was
rigidly secluded at certain periods； and the young husband was forbidden
to approach his own wife when preparing for war or for any religious
event。 The public or tribal position of the Indian is entirely dependent
upon his private virtue； and he is never permitted to forget that he does not
live to himself alone； but to his tribe and his clan。 Thus habits of perfect
self…control were early established； and there were no unnatural conditions
or complex temptations to beset hi