Chippewa Customs

RIGHT OF REVENGE

132 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL.S6 said that some totemic groups were larger than others, but that none were considered better than the rest. The duties of a chief included the presiding at councils of his band, the making of decisions that affected their general welfare, and the settlement of small disputes. He represented the band at the signing of treaties, the payment of annuities, and any large gathering of the tribe. Associated with the chief were two" head men" who acted as his protectors. They were selected from among the warriors. At a large council the men of a band always sat near their chief. RIGHT OF REVENGE It was a custom among the Chippewa that the relatives of a murdered man could avenge his death by killing the murderer or, if they wished, could adopt the murderer into their family. The chiefs did not interfere with this custom. Mr. Henry Selkirk related the following instances which came under his personal knowledge. A man killed a young man, and was taken before the young man's father, who announced that he would spare the life of the murderer and adopt him. Beside the old man sat his adopted sons. When the murderer was being led away to the old man's wigwam they shot him. No one could dispute their right, though the old man had forgiven him. On another occasion a murderer was similarly arraigned before the father of the man he had killed. The old man made a long speech, walked four times around the murderer, and then shot him. A large assembly of Chippewa watched this and concurred in the judgment. CUSTOMS PERTAINING TO WAR Warning: A flute was used in giving a signal of danger to the village. It was played by a warrior, the intervals and manner of playing being different from that of the young men. Summoning of warriors: A warrior who wished to lead a war party sent a messenger with tobacco to ask the warriors to join the expedition. The messenger went to each village and requested the warriors to assemble; he then explained the purpose of the expedition , filled a pipe, and holding the bowl of the pipe, offered the stem to one warrior after another. All who were willing to join the expedition signified this willingness by smoking the pipe. In a short time the warriors assembled and camped near the lodge of the leader, who gave a feast, explaining more fully the proposed expedition, and receiving the final pledge of the warriors. ...