A PAWNEE PERSONAL MEDICINE SHRINE

Abstract

The following narration by Shooter, one of the oldest of the Kitkehaki tribe of Pawnee, is interesting from several points of view, especially on account of the light it throws on the use of personal medicine shrines among the Pawnee. My father was born a poor boy while our people lived at the bend of the Republican river. As he grew up he wandered about trying to find some way to become prominent among the people. He wandered away from the village until he came to a high bluff. On the south side of the bluff was a deep ravine, with many cedars. Now, he wandered about there until he came to a place in the middle of the cedars, and there he saw a stone man, and about the man there were many presents. My father filled his pipe and smoked to the stone and asked help of him. He also placed some presents in front of the stone man, then prayed to him for success. He went off, and in a few days found a camp of the enemy. He captured many ponies and took them home. A few days afterward he started out on the war path, taking several young men with him. On the way he told them that they must be poor in heart and must pray for success. When they came to the ravine he told the others to stay behind, and he went on by himself. He came to the place where the stone man was and offered presents and smoked to him. After he had talked to him he returned to the other young men. They continued their journey and found the tipis of some enemies, which they attacked. They killed many and took some scalps. They also captured many ponies. They returned to their village victorious. The people wondered why my father had such success in capturing ponies and killing enemies. One of his brothers begged him to tell the secret of his success. He consented and told his brother to come with him. They started to the ravine and soon came to the place where the stone man was. About him they saw many 496