.MTA0OA.Njk5NTU

From Newberry Transcribe
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Thus has it been attempted to trace the gradual degeneration of this important festival, and the disguise and disuse of its distinguishing forms, from the earliest recollection of the Cherokee, down to the time, when, at length, its observance has almost entirely ceased among them; although kept up more carefully and longer than any of the rest in the series. We now proceed to the changes in the fourth of the succession, being the Nung, tah,-- tay -- quah, -- the Great New Moon Feast. No account is given of any special form of conveying permission for local celebrations of this feast. It is simply stated that, at the first appearance of the Great New Moon of Autumn, the people of each town assembled at the dwelling of the priest; or, more recently, at that of him now termed the conjurer; who, on this occasion, had two right hand men subject to his orders. The right hand men appointed seven men to hunt, and seven men and seven women to fast, seven days previous to the Festival. One of these right hand men selected seven men to sing for the women. The first of the seven took his place, commencing his chaunt.