ter
which the bones are buried and grave-posts fixed. At the head of the
grave a tubular piece of cedar or other wood, called the
_adjedatig_, is set. This grave-board contains the symbolic or
representative figure, which records, if it be a warrior, his totem,
that is to say the symbol of his family, or surname, and such
arithmetical or other devices as seem to denote how many times the
deceased has been in war parties, and how many scalps he has taken
from the enemy--two facts from which his reputation is essentially
to be derived. It is seldom that more is attempted in the way of
inscription. Often, however, distinguished chiefs have their war
flag, or, in modern days, a small ensign of American fabric,
displayed on a standard at the head of their graves, which is left
to fly over the deceased till it is wasted by the elements. Scalps
of their enemies, feathers of the bald or black eagle, the
swallow-tailed falcon, or some carnivorous bird, are also placed, in
such instances, on the _adjedatig_, or suspended, with offerings of
various kinds, on a separate staff. But the latter are
superadditions of a religious character, and belong to the class of
the Ke-ke-wa-o-win-an-tig (_ante_, No. 4). The building of a funeral
fire on recent graves is also a rite which belongs to the
consideration of their religious faith.

_FIRES._

It is extremely difficult to determine why the custom of building fires
on or near graves was originated, some authors stating that the soul
thereby underwent a certain process of purification, others that demons
were driven away by them, and again that they were to afford light to
the wandering soul setting out for the spirit land. One writer states
that--

The Algonkins believed that the fire lighted nightly on the grave
was to light the spirit on its journey. By a coincidence to be
explained by the universal sacredness of the number, both Algonkins
and Mexicans maintained it for four nights consecutively. The former
related the tradition that one of their ancestors returned from the
spirit land and informed their nation that the journey thither
consumed just four days, and that collecting fuel every night added
much to the toil and fatigue the soul encountered, all of which
could be spared it.

So it would appear that the belief existed that the fire was also
intended to assist the spirit in preparing its repast.

Stephen Power