Buffalo Dance Origin Myth retold by Richard L. Dieterle

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The Buffalo Dance is most usually given in conjunction with the Buffalo Feast. The dance, which originated with Hojánoka (Hočą́noga), can be given by anyone who has been blessed by the Buffalo Spirits. This is the story of its origin.

---

In the earliest times the Hočągara existed in the form of animals, as it was in this form that they had come together to found the clans that make up the nation. At that time they had all the power that they needed, but as they evolved into human form, they had to fast to obtain those powers necessary for life. When he had just reached puberty, Hočą́noga (Young Man Just Maturing) therefore began to fast, and went off to seek blessings from the spirits. After he nearly fasted to death, a spirit came to him in his dream, and said, "Mortal, I bless you. I bless you with a victorious warpath, and with a long life." He made it known that he was one of the Buffalo Spirits. "Remember us in your offerings," he said, "and from time to time pour tobacco for us and give us Dog Feasts. When you make offerings, present eagle feathers, tobacco, and food. Indeed, we bless you mortal, for you have made yourself very pitiable. We shall soon come for you and bring you to our camp that you may obtain what you truly long for." Then one day he dreamed again, and the Buffalo Spirits came to him and took him to Spiritland where they had their village. There in the village of the Buffalo Spirits, he saw an old man and a child. The child had heard his prayers, and it was he who had taken pity on him by blessing him. The child gave him an herb and told him, "This is what we give you. With this you may cure the sick; but since it will also increase your strength when you run, you may also use it in war." They gave him a holy buffalo tail, and flutes. Then they taught him four songs:

Let him walk in the road;
Let him walk in the road.

Walk by, Hočą́noga;
Walk by, Hočą́noga.

Say, 'Walk by Hočą́noga'.

Hočą́noga, go towards;
'It is coming, it is coming';
Say it to them, say it to them.

Then they showed him the Buffalo Dance. After all this instruction, he returned to earth.

It is said that when the dance is announced they do not go about with invitation sticks, but invite people through the use of an emissary. In the appointed lodge they prepare for the dance by creating a loose mound of dirt which is called the "buffalo mound." On top of the mound, or Mąnuserek, they place a plate of maple sugar. The host appoints someone from the Buffalo Clan to be the leader of the dance. This man puts upon his own head the head of a buffalo and attaches to himself a buffalo tail. He then leads the dancers in line to the dish of maple sugar and licks some of it up just as a buffalo would without using his hands. Each in turn does this, and as they dance towards the earth mound, they bellow like buffaloes. As each dance is completed the drummer passes the drum to the next person. Once everyone has been the drummer, they are ready to eat. Each person has his own plate; however, there is a special plate in the center of the lodge with wild rice on it. The host tells the dance leader that this plate is intended for him and anyone else he chooses to share it with. When they have done eating, the ones in the center of the lodge then take their heads and flip the plate in the air as if they were buffalo goring it. Only when they have caused it to land upside down using only their heads, is the ritual over. Then the host rises and sings a dancing song, and everyone dances out of the lodge each with his own plate in hand. Thus ends the Buffalo Dance. [1]

---

Commentary. For the Buffalo Feast, to which the Buffalo Dance is regularly a part, see the Buffalo Clan Origin Myth.

"Hojánoka" — cf. the only known instance of this word in Col. Kinzie's wordlist: hoatshar´noa, "boy." [2]