.MTA1Mg.NzA0MDE
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
17 p 19.
with those constituting his white dress, only these were of deer skin painted yellow. The cap was like the white cap only painted yellow; and ornamented with feathers painted yellow. The assistant principal priest then took the candidate and carried him to the council house, being preceded by half the company, singing as they went and followed by the other half; and halting three times on the way. On arriving at the council house, the assistant first seated the candidate on the middle white seat, while the other priests seated themselves in due order, on white seats in the form of a semicircle, the most distinguished sitting nearest the candidate. The assistant principal priest then took an ointment made of chalk (or white clay) and deer's tallow, on the forefinger of his right hand, and approaching the candidate, and putting his finger on his head, drew it down over his forehead, nose and chin to his breast, making a white mark. He then drew it from the top of his head to his back then putting his finger (with the ointment) on the thumb nail of his right hand, drew it up his arm to his shoulder, and from there to his breast touching the end of the first mark, and then down his leg to the great toe nail of his right foot.The other ceremonies prayers &c. I must omit. When any other priest, counsellor or messenger died, the high priest took measures to have his successor consecrated in due form. Thomas Smith. I have said above that the initiating dress of the high priest resembled his white dress generally except in colour. The high priest, (as well as all the other priests,) had a white dress in which he generally officiated. It was made of deer skin, and chalked or otherwise made as perfectly white as possible. The shirt came down about half way of the thigh. The breeches were made as follows viz. There were two aprons one before & one behind fastened above the hips with a girdle, and extending down about half way to the knees. These aprons were fastened together at each side, and the middle drawn up between their legs, so as to answer all the purposes of short breeches. Their coats were long, coming nearly to their feet, having curiously wrought shoulder pieces on both shoulders of the high priests, and on one shoulder of the other priests, with bells on the wrists. Their belts were of the same