This association has continued under influences that
secured unreservedly their confidence, friendship--and I may say--truly,
in many instances--their affection. If the perusal of the Legends give
pleasure to my friends--how happy am I! To do more than this I hardly
dare hope.
M. H. E.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS
ON
THE CUSTOMS OF THE DAHCOTAHS.
I.
SIOUX CEREMONIES, SCALP DANCE, &c.
The Sioux occupy a country from the Mississippi river to some point west
of the Missouri, and from the Chippewa tribe on the north, to the
Winnebago on the south; the whole extent being about nine hundred miles
long by four hundred in breadth.
Dahcotah is the proper name of this once powerful tribe of Indians. The
term Sioux is not recognized, except among those who live near the
whites. It is said to have been given by the old French traders, that
the Dahcotahs might not know when they were the subjects of
conversation. The exact meaning of the word has never been ascertained.
Dahcotah means a confederacy. A number of bands live near each other on
terms of friendship, their customs and laws being the same.
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