THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Jesuit Relations
Vol. 55, (1670-1671)
|
pp. |
|
199-207. |
Article III. Events Attending the Publication of the Faith to the Fire Nation, and to One of the Illinois Nations.
The Fire Nation is erroneously so called, its correct name being Maskoutench, which means "a treeless country," like that inhabited by these people; but as, by changing a few letters, this word is made to signify "fire", therefore the people have come to be called the Fire Nation.
[170 i.e., 172] It is united, within the same palisade enclosure, to another people called the Oumami, who form one of the Nations of the Ilinois,-- being dismembered, so to speak, from the rest, to make its home in these regions.
They form together more than three thousand souls, and are able to furnish each four hundred men for the common defense against the Iroquois, who pursue them even into these remote districts.
They had conceived so high an opinion of the things of the Faith, and of those who published it, that they invited us to many feasts, not so much for the sake of eating as of obtaining, through us, either recovery from their ailments, or good success in their hunting and in war.
Of this sort was a feast to which we were called, where a very peculiar ceremony was observed. It seemed to be a feast for fighting, and not for eating; for in place of a table, a sort of trophy had been erected, on which had been hung all a warrior's arms,-- bow, arrows, quiver, and war-hatchet,-- together with provisions, namely, a little meal and some tobacco; with other articles commonly carried on their persons by the Warriors of this country, to give them renewed courage for fighting. The master of the feast did, however, produce a dish of indian corn cooked in pisikiou-fat; and in placing it before us he [173 i.e., 175] addressed us as follows: "You have heard of the peoples called Nadouessi. They have eaten me to the bone, and have not left me a single member of my family alive. I must taste of their flesh, as they have tasted of that of my kinsfolk. I am ready to set out against them in war, but I despair of success therein unless you, who are the masters of life and of death, are favorable toward me in this undertaking. Therefore, to obtain victory by your means, I invite you to this banquet.". . . .
They invited us to other [174 i.e., 176] feasts also, for similar purposes,-- either to gain our favor or to afford us some diversion; for occasionally some of the oldest men would appear, dressed as if for playing a comedy, and would dance to the music of some very tuneful airs, which they sang in excellent harmony.
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