Chapter VI

Minsi Big House Ceremonies 127
Myth of Origin 127
Number of Ceremonies 128
Arrangement of the Big House 129
Preliminaries 132
Fire 132
Purification 133
Opening of the Ceremony 133
Chief’s Speech 133
Ceremonial Drink 134
Recital of Visions 135
Other Features 136
The Prayer Cry 136
Feast 137
Final Address 137
Conclusion of Rites 137
Grand River Version 138
Waunbuno’s Version 143

CHAPTER VII
The Mĭsiʹngʷ‛ or Mask 146
Origin of the Mask and of the Big House 147
Mĭsiʹngʷ‛ Dance 152
Notification 152
Preparations 153
The Ceremony 153
Adams’ Account 154
Other Functions of Mĭsiʹngʷ‛ 156
Masks of the Minsi 158
The Mask Society 159
Ceremonies 159