History of the Ojibway People, Second Edition

2 Totemic Division of the O-jib-ways

  Totemic Division of the O-jib-ways There is nothing so worthy of observation and study, in the peculiar customs and usages of the Algic type of the American aborigines,as their wellde fined partition into several grand clans or families. This stock comprises a large group of tribes, distinct from each other, not only in name and locality,but also in the manner of uttering their common generic language. Yet this division, though an important one and strongly defined,is but a sub-division,which has been caused by domestic quarrels, necessity, or caprice, and perpetuated by long and wide separations and non-intercourse. These causes are related in their traditions, even where the greatest variance is found to exist between tribes.The separation does not date many centuries back. The first grand division is that of blood and kindred, which has been perpetuated amongst the different tribes by what they call the Totemic System, and dates back to the time “when the Earth was new.” Each grand family is known by a badge or symbol, taken from nature; being generally a quadruped, bird, fish, or reptile. The badge or Dodaim (Totem,as it has been most commonly written),descends invariably in the male line; marriage is strictly forbidden between individuals of the same symbol.This is one of the greatest sins that can be committed in the Ojibway code of moral laws,and tradition says that in former times it was punishable with death. In the present somewhat degenerated times,when persons of the same Totem intermarry (which even now very seldom occurs), they become objects of reproach.It is an offense equivalent among the whites to the sin of a man marrying his own sister. In this manner is the blood relationship strictly preserved among the several clans in each tribe, and is made to extend amongst the different tribes who claim to derive their origin from the same general root or stock, still perpetuating this ancient custom. An individual of any one of the several Totems belonging to a distinct tribe, as for instance, the Ojibway, is a close blood relation to all other 17 Schenck bk p i-xxiv 1-318_Layout 1 5/13/11 10:54 AM Page 17 Indians of the same Totem,both in his own and all other tribes,though he may be divided from them by a long vista of years,interminable miles,and knows not even of their existence. I am not possessed of sufficient general information respecting all the different groups of tribes in America, to enable me to state positively that the Algics are the only stock who have perpetuated and still recognize this division into families,nor have I even data sufficient to state that the Totemic System is as rigidly kept up among other tribes of the Algonquins, as it is among the Ojibways,Ottaways,and Potta-wat-om-ies. From personal knowledge and inquiry, I can confidently assert that among the Dakotas the system is not known.There are a few who claim the Water Spirit or Merman as a symbol,but they are the descendants of Ojibways who have in former times of peace intermarried with them.The system among the Winnebagoes, which somewhat resembles this, they have borrowed or derived from the Ojibways during their long intercourse with them while residing about Green Bay and other portions of the present State of Wisconsin.
From these and many other facts which shall be enumerated,the writer is disposed to consider, and therefore presents, the Totemic division as more important and worthy of more consideration than has generally been accorded to it by standard authors who have studied and written respecting the Indians. The Ojibways acknowledge in their secret beliefs, and teachings to each successive generation, five original Totems. The tradition in which this belief is embodied,is known only to their chief Medas,or priests.It is like all their ancient traditions, vague and unsatisfactory, but such as it is, I will here present it—verbatim—as I received it. “When the Earth was new,the An-ish-in-aub-ag lived,congregated on the shores of a great salt water. From the bosom of the great deep there suddenly appeared six beings in human form,who entered their wigwams. One of these six strangers kept a covering over his eyes, and he dared not look on the An-ish-in-aub-ag, though he...