Material culture of the Menomini / by Alanson Skinner.

  • Alanson Skinner
Date:
1921
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Material culture of the Menomini / by Alanson Skinner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    log. A huge dog guards this bridge, and he never permits evildoers, nor those who have maltreated dogs or wolves in life, to cross. Even if an evil soul is allowed to attempt a crossing, it is likely to be precip¬ itated into the stream and to be swept on eternally. If, however, a soul succeeds in reaching the other side, it is welcomed by the spirits of those who have gone before, and joins them in feasting and playing lacrosse forever. The Otherworld is ruled by Narx patdo, or Little Wolf, the brother of Mdnndbus, who was slain by the Powers Beneath. After a soul has been in his care for four days, he sends for it, washes it, and cleanses it of all earthly knowledge. It is then endowed with heavenly lore, and becomes oblivious of most of the facts concerning its previous existence on earth. A year after the death of a member of the M it a'win, his relatives call a meeting of the society and hold a memorial ceremony at which prayers are addressed to Na'xpatdo, requesting him to release the soul of the deceased, that it may return to earth long *
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