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Philadelphia
This Pageant can be put on with a comparatively small number of participants, though, of course, the greater the number, the more effective the spectacle. Part or all may be used. It would be very appropriate for a Fathers and Sons' Day, or Special Occasion at the winter camp. Indian features were enacted by Ralph W. Hubbard and Scouts.
PROGRAM
Entry Guests of Honor.
Pageant, "The Coming Americans."
Into the ranks of Scouting enter all types of boys; poor boys, rich boys; boys whose interests are in the sports and others who devote themselves exclusively to their studies; and in the Scout movement they find a common brotherhood in which, through proper training and development of their leadership talents, they grow to manhood as clean, healthy citizens. The episode depicts the types that go to make up the splendid group of Americans who enter next on the program.
The "Pageant of the Scout Oath."-Omaha Tribal Prayer
"On my honor, I will do my best to do my
duty to God." "Wah-kon-dah, thee-thu
Wah-pah-thin, a-ton-he
"Wah-kon-dah,
thee-thu
Wah-pah-thin a-ton o he."
"Great Spirit, I the needy one,
Stand before Thee alone And ask for help."
This prayer was composed in the early 1800's probably by some of the officials of the Omaha people, who are related to the Sioux. It was considered so very important in its ceremonial effect on these people that they soon made it stable in tribal affairs.
Later in the next century, their tribes came to use it in their own societies. It is a prayer that can be employed by any denomination, Indian, Caucasian or otherwise, because of its utter simplicity.
In this portrayal, as presented by our dancers, the tribe is meeting at an appointed place where gifts are being brought to the Great Spirit, much as is done in the Sun Dance of olden times. They assemble in small groups bringing the treasures, and approach the sacred place with awe and deliberation.
Their High Priest is due to arrive directly after they are assembled, which facts, of course, they realize as they bring in the beautiful gifts. In time this personage does appear and, mounting a natural platform, begins his supplications. He invokes the powers of the four winds, beginning with the East ; during which time a medicine man approaches him from each of these four cardinal directions, bringing a burner of sacred fire high over his head. As the Priest calls from Mother Earth and finally to Wakonda the Great Spirit Himself, these four fire bearers have reached his feet.
Whereupon a great flood of light comes from the heavens and the tribe, no longer able to withstand their emotions, burst into the singing of the great Omaha prayer as a thanksgiving. The song gradually assumes the form of a dance of ecstasy and pure joy.
Pageant of the Vanishing Americans
The Sun Dance
A large circle of dancers is called into action by a worshipful leader in their midst. Evolutions of this dance work to a gradual pitch of enthusiasm when a Black Spirit suddenly appears among them, terrifying them with such vicious conduct that they fade from the field with shaking moccasins. Courageous ones attempt to return, hoping to overcome this Spirit, but are unable to withstand his frightful power. A pure Spirit answers the prayer and delivers them from the evil.
GREAT PLAINS WAR DANCE
In which a large mass of warriors begin deliberately and sedately, gradually working up to topnotch fervor, after which there is an anti-climax in their emotions, until only two warriors are left on the field. At a signal from these two, the entire dancing body divides into two opposing forces, who advance upon each other in threatening battle formation. A mad stampede closes the event.
BEFORE THE LIGHTS ARE EXTINGUISHED read the descriptive text below relative to the following Indian scene.
Diminutive War Dance
An ambitious boy who has watched his elders in their dances aspires to the same art, but realizes at the same time that it is decidedly dangerous for one so young. The boy fears that his dancing will call tip the very spirits that inhabit the field when the tried warriors are present, and after dancing some moments is aware that this is just what has happened. Fighting the spirits off as best he can, he flees from the field in a mad panic.
Ghost Dance
Done under the leadership of medicine men. This dance is some- times called the Buffalo Ghost Dance, inasmuch as there was a connection between its origin and the extinction of the American bison. Between the years 1888 and 1892 this dance swept like a religious revival over the Indian reservations of North America. There was a belief that the old-time warriors and the herds of buffalo would return. A prophet named Wovaka taught a wonderfully peaceful and constructive doctrine, he having given rise to this revival. However, in the dance, the performers seemed to fall in trances, at which times their bodies are supposed to be left untenanted, the spirits having wandered to the Shadow Land. A spirit appears among the fallen dancers who would stay to help them realize their great prayer, but who at the same time being all wise, finds himself drawn back to the Shadow Lands, leaving the devoted ones to their unfortunate fate.
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