Archives of aboriginal knowledge. Containing all the original paper laid before Congress respecting the history, antiquities, language, ethnology, pictography, rites, superstitions, and mythology, of (14763086014)

Identifier: archivesofaborig03scho (find matches)
Title: Archives of aboriginal knowledge. Containing all the original paper laid before Congress respecting the history, antiquities, language, ethnology, pictography, rites, superstitions, and mythology, of the Indian tribes of the United States
Year: 1860 (1860s)
Authors: Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864. dn United States. Bureau of Indian Affairs. cn
Subjects: Indians of North America United States
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott & co.
Contributing Library: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation



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state of activ-ity, and the red hunter, who believes himself dejDendent on the spirits and genii forsuccess in every path of life, is regardful of the least word which might give offenceto these newly-awakened powers. It is this belief that gives force to the song of theOkogis, which is given in § VI., Vol. III., among the indications of a poetic develop-ment. The children are told by their parents, that should they do so, the snakes,toads, and reptiles, would visit them for their presumptuous irreverence. The hunter, as he floats down the woodland stream, or enters some rock-defilecreating awe, in his land-excursions, lights his pipe to offer a pleasant oblation to thesurrounding and unknown gods, and never alludes to them but in a sedate and reverentmanner. If he were disposed to do otherwise, and indulge in vain asseverations, hecould not, for his very language is without an expression equivalent to an oath. Andin this he is more consistent with his belief than profane white men.
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AND MAGIC. 493 7. PICTOGKAPHS FROM THE FACES OF CLIFFS ON THEROCKY MOUNTAINS. (1 Plate.) The system of medical magic — the belief in elementary gods of the air, mountains,plains, and waters, and the prominent dogmas of doemonology or spirit-craft, entrustedto the power of medas or priests, and professors of mystical arts — prevails over theentire continent. Ideographic symbols are everywhere employed to express theseprofessed powers of mysterious art. These symbols were elaborated with more artamong the forest and Mississippi Valley tribes, who, from their better means of subsis-tence, could dwell together in larger villages, and whose hearers and neophytes were,consequently, able to support their medas and professed leaders and teachers in mysticalthings, without these sacred functionaries being obliged to hunt, trap, or fish for them-selves. The prairie tribes, extending to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, had alsothe same general system of recording their arts, powers, and expl