THE Cheyennes have much ceremonial accompanied
with extended and varied ritual. I have been present
at many of these ceremonies, and have recorded what
I saw and secured such explanation as I could. Yet, after
all, this gives little idea of the actual meaning of what takes
place, and since the various acts are but imperfectly under-
stood--either as to meaning or to motive--the full significance
of these ceremonies cannot be comprehended. Some of them
are extraordinarily detailed and wearisome in their repetition.
I believe that many of the acts performed are meaningless to
those who perform them; in other words, they are part of a
routine which has been handed down from generation to gen-
eration, with only minor changes, until at last their primary
significance has been lost.

Yet, even though we may not understand them, it is im-
portant to record all these operations; for someone may here-
after find a clue to the meaning of one act or another, and many
things now obscure may then be made clear.

In another place ¹ I have written at some length of the two
great mysteries of the Cheyennes. The medicine arrows and the
buffalo hat are the two cherished talismans handed down to
protect the Cheyenne and the Suhtai, to give them health, long
life, and plenty, and strength and courage to conquer their
enemies. The ceremonies of renewing the arrows and of un-
wrapping the sacred hat are two of the most important prac-
ticed by the tribe. The ceremonies of the Medicine Lodge and
of the Massaum are others of great importance. These four

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