Spiro High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Spiro, OK)

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Dedication Pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shedg Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white-then melts forever: Burns To the ages past, to the eventful present, to the hopeful future, we humbly dedicate this yearbook as a tribute of respect. While we who are pictured here are not bowed with cares of the age, we salute our predecessors and those who now lead the wayg but we recognize that it is we who will assist in assuring a brighter tomorrow. So to those who read these pages, we submit this 1953 edition of THE BULLDOG as: A votive stone, which may endure, When like our sires, our sons are gone. -Emerson THE SPIRO MOUND MODEL VILLAGE front cover is an authentic reproduction of the temple and The model pictured in the lower right corner on the G a portion of the village which existed near the great pre-historic Indian mound north of Sprio in northern LeFlore under the direction of Dr. Forrest E. Clements of the An- part of a Work Projects Administration project sponsored County. The site was excavated by archaeological crews thropology Department of the University of Oklahoma as by the state university. Details of house construction accurately follow the field excavation data and the costumes on the human figures are copied from those illustrated on engraved shell gorgets found in the prehistoric graves. The ceremony which is shown in progress has been reconstructed from writings of about twenty early authorities on the southeastern Indians covering the period from 1540 to 1758. It is not certain, of course, that the prehistoric Spiro In- dians practiced the same rituals as the later southeastern tribes, but similarities in the material culture lend prob- ability to the supposition. This model was prepared under the supervision of Miss Sarah White. Death ceremonies the world over are occasions filled with pathos. Few people, however, observed such A CHIEFTAINS FUNERAL terrible and tragic rites as the Southeastern tribes. These were based on a firm belief in a life after death in Splrit1and, where the departed lived much as they had on earth but in more ideal fashion. Upon the death of a chief his officials, wives and servants were killed by strangling. The souls of these were to accompany the warrior to the other world, and serye his needs as they had on earth. The number of victims victims sacrificed for such duty depended on the rank of the Sun or Chief who had died. We are told by Du Pratz that some- times hundreds of natives were immolated in this manner. In the Spiro Mounds over a thousand skeltons were found. Most of these were discovered ln groups of 10 to 30 individuals. Since no evidence sacrificed victims. A brief introduction to the plunged the whole village into wailing of the entire tribe. All A half-built house, shown participate in the all important bound with cane and plastered of death by warfare was found, it is probable these group burials were those of scene depicted in the model is necessary. A great warchief has died, which tragedy has mourning. The eternal fire in the Temple has been extinguished amid the weeping and activity in the village save that pertaining to the funeral has been terminated. in the lower corner of the case, has been temporarily abandoned so its builders can veneration of the dead. The outside walls, formed of upright cedar poles, later will be with clay. Four center posts used in supporting the thatch roof stand firmly planted in the clay subsoil. All posts in this model are made from cedar wood actually found in the prehistoric Spiro houses. The between absolute life the dians it The natives must exhibit victims seen in the interior of the Temple have prepared for dissolution in the days that have intervened the death of the Warchief and the present, final moment of their lives. The great Warchief has exercised authority over his people, and has received perfect submission and obedience during his life. In death as in profound respect. Though the tragic custom appears brutal to us, to the ancient in- is an expression of great love and devotion. funeral procession, having slowly walked three times around the Temple, has entered with the body of the Warchief. In the model the Temple roof has been removed in order for us to look in. The body of the Warchief lies in state on a cane bier. He is dressed in his finest garments, and provided with an abundance of food and weapons for the journey to Spiritland. A faithful dog has been killed and lies at the foot of the bier, ready to serve his master in the New World. Standing at the head of the Warchief is an old warrior, a staunch friend at whose side he has fought many times. Presiding over the body is the Chief Priest of ehe Temple, the Master of Ceremonies whose in- cantations are necessary for a safe journey into Spiritland. Four pallbearers, the Guardians of the Temple, flank the secret place, a cane closet containing objects sacred to the religion of these ancient peoples. And two other Guardians stand facing each other in reverent silence over the dead embers of the Temple fire. The death cry has been given by the officials of the Temple, and the victims are taking their places on mats. Each victim is surrounded by eight kinsmen, who have clamored for the opportunity to aid in their strangling. By taking part in the ceremony the kinsmen have risen from the lower class and taken a place among the nobility of the tribe. They are dressed in typical costume for warm weatherg a loin cloth of mulberry bark fabric, decorated with raccoon tails or shell ornaments. Shell bracelets, or necklaces supporting a gorget, and stone ear spools wom in the distended ear lobes decorate these dandies. The Death ritual above all other ceremonies calls for elaborate dress. Each of the kinsmen has a role in the strangling of a victim. One carries a tomahawk, and makes frequent move- ments as if to strike the victimg another carries the mat upon which the victim kneelsg a third carries the cordg another, a bowl containing six balls of tobacco which the victims swallow to be stupefiedg a fifth bears a small bottle of water to wash down the tobaccog and the remainder lend their strength with three of the aforementioned to throttle the victim.