Clark: January 5, 1805
On a cold, snowy Saturday, several Indians visited the camp to have their axes repaired while Clark worked on compiling a map of the region from gathered information. He recorded observations of a three-night Buffalo Dance, or medicine ceremony, held in the first village, in which young men offered their wives to elders in a ritual believed to draw buffalo near for hunting. A man from the expedition was sent to participate. The following day, Sunday the 6th, was also cold with few Indians visiting, and Clark continued his mapping work.
5th of January Satturday 1805 a cold day Some Snow, Several Indians visit
us with thier axes to get them mended, I imploy my Self drawing a
Connection of the Countrey from what information I have recveda
Buffalow Dance (or Medison) for 3 nights passed in the 1st Village, a
curious Custom the old men arrange themselves in a circle & after
Smoke a pipe, which is handed them by a young man, Dress up for the
purpose, the young men who have their wives back of the circle go to one
of the old men with a whining tone and request the old man to take his
wife (who presents necked except a robe) andthe Girl then takes the
Old man (who verry often can Scercely walk) and leades him to a Convenient
place for the business, after which they return to the lodge, if the Old
man (or a white man) returns to the lodge without gratifying the man &
his wife, he offers her again and again; it is often the Case that after
the 2d time without Kissing the Husband throws a nice robe over the old
man & and begs him not to dispise him, & his wife (we Sent a man
to this Medisan last night, they gave him 4 Girls) all this is to cause
the buffalow to Come near So that They may kill thim 2
[Clark, January 6, 1805]
6th of January Sunday 1805
a Cold day but fiew indians to day I am ingaged as yesterday
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
5th of January, Saturday 1805. A cold day with some snow. Several Indians visited us with their axes to get them mended. I employed myself drawing a connection of the country from the information I have received.
A Buffalo Dance (or Medicine) was held for 3 nights past in the 1st Village. It is a curious custom: the old men arrange themselves in a circle, and after smoking a pipe which is handed to them by a young man dressed up for the purpose, the young men, who have their wives at the back of the circle, go to one of the old men with a whining tone and request the old man to take his wife (who presents herself naked except for a robe). The girl then takes the old man (who very often can scarcely walk) and leads him to a convenient place for the business, after which they return to the lodge. If the old man (or a white man) returns to the lodge without gratifying the man and his wife, she is offered again and again. It is often the case that, after the 2nd time without kissing, the husband throws a nice robe over the old man and begs him not to despise him and his wife. (We sent a man to this Medicine last night; they gave him 4 girls.) All this is done to cause the buffalo to come near so that they may kill them.
[Clark, January 6, 1805]
6th of January, Sunday 1805. A cold day, but few Indians today. I am engaged as yesterday.
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