siOBX; - Smithsonian Institution

SWANTON] CHOCTAW SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL LIFE 169
more resolute warriors ever went upon the war-path. The opening of hostilities
was always preceded by the famous Hoyopa-hihla, War-dance. Night was the
chosen time for engaging in that time-honored ceremony ; and as soon as
evening began to spread her dark mantle o'er their forests, a huge pile of dry
logs and brush previously prepared was set on fire, whose glaring and crackling
flames intermingling with their hoyopa-taloah (war-songs) and soul-stirring
hoyopa-tassuhah [hoyopa tasaha] (war-hoops) presented a scene as wild and
romantic as can possibly be imagined.
The manly forms of the dusky warriors with their painted faces illuminated
with the wildest excitement ; the huge fire blazing and crackling in the centre
of the wide extended circle of excited dancers, [of] which, now and then, a kick
from a dancing warrior, caused to send the flames and sparks high up among
the wide extended branches of the mighty forest trees that stood around ; the
stern visages of the old warriors, whom age and decrepitude had long since
placed upon the retired list from further duty upon the war-path or in the
chase, sitting around in little groups where the light of the burning log-heap
disputed precedency with the gloom of night, calm and silent spectators of the
weird scene in which they could no longer participate, but which awakened
thrilling memories of the past ; the Goddess Minerva's favorite birds, allured
from their dark abodes in the forest by the glaring light, flitted here and there
overhead through the extended branches of the overshadowing oaks, and anon
joined in with their voices, to which in wild response, the distant howl of a
pack of roving wolves filled up the measure of the awe inspiring scene. . . .
On the return of a successful war-party, the village at once became the scene
of festivity and triumph. The varied trophies—scalps, painted shields, etc.,
were hung on poles near the houses. Then followed war-feasts, scalp-dances,
accompanied with war-songs and shouts of victory, while the old men went from
house to house rehearsing in a loud tone of voice the events of the battle and
the various daring exploits of the warriors. But, amid all this, sounds of
another kind were also heard mingling in discordant tones with those of joy
they were the pious wailings of the women borne upon the air from the surrounding
hills, where they had retired to mourn in darkness and solitude for
their slain In battle. There the mother, wife and sister gave full sway to the
anguish of their hearts.^
Simpson Tubby asserts that enemies used to poison springs or the
meat hung up about a spring and for that reason springs were sometimes
abandoned, and the Indians preferred to use running water
which could not be poisoned, rather than wells.
The earliest of all our authorities is the only one who attempts to
describe the peace making ritual of the Choctaw in anything like
detail. He says
When they have promised to conclude a peace five or six leading men of the
nation come, bearing a calumet or pipe made of a stone, red like coral, which is
found in rocks in the Illinois country. This calumet has a stem about two or
three feet in length surrounded by red feathers artistically worked, and from
which hangs eight or ten black and white feathers. This serves them as a war
standard, as a seal in alliances, as a mark of the continuation of faithfulness
among friends, and as a sign of war with those with whom they wish to break.
It is true that there is one which is the calumet of peace and another that of
=» Cushman, Hist. Choc, Chick., and Natchez Inds., pp. 253-254.
54564—31 12