Travels in the Central Portions of the Mississippi Valley

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1825. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX. Some Observations and Translations, attesting the Existence of Imaginative Tales and Oral Poetry among the Chippewas. It has already been remarked, that there is much difficulty in determining what ceremonies, institutions, or opinions are peculiar to each or to any of the Indian nations which inhabit the vast central region lying between the Alleghany and Rocky mountains and the great lakes, as general boundaries. Even among those nations where the resemblances in language, features, and dress are the most faint, there are still such coincidences in the general manners, customs, and obvious mental and physical traits, as to render the most exact comparison and laborious research necessary in characterizing what is apparently peculiar in each. In fact, we think it much easier to determine accurately the existence of certain customs, or the prevalence of certain opinions, than to effect this discrimination. The following customs have been observed among the Chippewas inhabiting the shores of Lake Superior. How far they have spread among other tribes, or with what shades of difference they may exist even throughout the various bands of this widely dispersed nation, it would be interesting to determine. For several nights after the interment of a person, a fire is placed upon the grave. This fire is lit in the evening, and carefully supplied with small sticks of dry wood, to keep up a bright but small blaze. It is kept burning for several hours, generally until the usual hour of retiring to rest, and then suffered to go out. This fire is renewed for four nights, and sometimes longer. The person who performs this pious rite, is, generally, a near relative of the deceased, or one who has lived in long habits of intimacy with him. The following tale is re...