While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
Between the northern and southern divisions of the
tribe the prime distinction is in the chieftaincy. Each division has its own
chief (kadhi').12 In missions to Washington both chiefs are
expected to participate. One division would not be properly represented by the
chief of the other division. Since 1896 Enoch Hoag (Gen. 1, 7) has been chief
at Sugar Creek. The Fort Cobb chieftaincy is for the moment unfilled, Francis
Longhat,14 the chief, having lately died. Harry Age (chuitsi)13
(Gen. III, 17), the interpreter, is being talked of for chief. (In 1922 he
became chief.)
To Francis Longhat,14 the deceased chief, Harry
Age is unrelated in blood; but Francis was his stepfather. The office of chief,
as far as the evidence goes, is non-hereditary, strictly speaking at least.
Naturally enough a kinsman or family connection might be chosen for apprentice,
but the criterion for selection to office is successful assistantship or
apprenticeship. When Francis himself was talked of as chief, some one had
objected, saying, "He does not know how to be a chief." But Stephen Martin (Gen.
II, 17) for one, had disagreed, referring to the fact that as a boy Francis had
been sent to attend council meetings. "He is like a bag you have filled up,
tied, and hung to a tree"-at hand when you want it. Clarence, the oldest son of
Enoch Hoag, in time he is under forty (1927) will be considered seriously for
chief. "He always goes to council meetings."
Enoch Hoag had been apprenticed to White-bread (R.
DacGathaGaiyu', bread, white) who in his turn had been apprenticed to
Once-in-white-house (R. haGaiyu'kinuiseya': hoagie', white, kinuiseya',
he used to live in) or Caddo Jake (Gen. 1, 22) who died a very old man ("130
years old") in 1914.15 Between none of these men was there any
blood relationship." But the wife of chief Once-in-white-house was called sister
(parallel cousin) by Enoch Hoag, and lived with her husband in the same
settlement. Enoch Hoag had taken the place of Moonlight (Gen. II, 46) who was
White-bread's nephew and apprentice, but who died before White-bread. According
to Pardon, Moonlight was related to White-bread through White-bread's wife. He
was his interpreter.
There is the office of treasurer (R. sunaneida'nnacaha, money, some
one who keeps). This office had been held by Mr. Blue (Gen. 1, 10), younger
brother of Enoch Hoag.
Council meetings (Gambakeisaawa', there is going to be a
council) are called several days in advance by the chief, called at any time,
but more particularly during the Ghost dance, since then all the people have
assembled. To call a meeting the chief may also send out his son or son-in-law.
Formerly there was an office of Chief's messenger called t’uma (tama',
crier, Pardon). The t’uma rode each dawn through the villages, to wake
the people and issue orders. "He talked as he rode." He carried a whip of
buffalo hide and executed orders.17 He served also as a guard for
ceremonies.18 Caddo Dick, a very old man, living alone on Spring
Creek,19 formerly served as t’uma and he still goes by that
title used as a personal name. He rounded up the people for the Ghost dance.
There was also an office of war messenger or runner (R. neiteyu'’niaca',
some one who carries messages) which no longer exists.
To promote attendance at the council a dance may also be announced.
At the council held in the chief's house, everybody sits around, on his or
her blanket, in a circle, with the chief in the middle to make addresses.
Anybody may stand up to talk.
_________________________________________________________ 12 See Harrington, 149; Joutel, 353, 379. 13 White Moon translates cry-baby, coward, sissy, more-like-a-woman.
Pardon would not translate chowitsi, as he called Harry Age. The term is
obviously opprobrious. 14 Brother of Gen. I, 23 and of Gen. II, 24. 15 His son was considered too young to take
office. He was twenty-five. 16 Once-in-white-house belonged to the Natchitoches band from
Louisiana, and Whitebread to one of the Texas bands (Swanton 4: 205). 17 See pp. 61, 62, 68 and Hatcher, XXXI, 155. 18 Cp. Hatcher, XXX, 216; also Pawnee, Murie, 625, 630. 19 Now, 1927, deceased. 20 Giving for all one's mother's relations, wante ina'kwiwa'ha,
and for all one's father's relations, wante aakwiwa'ha.
