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"The warmest place in the lodge, the one directly in back of the fire, was reserved for guests. It was the place of honor, and robes were spread there to make the visiter welcome."The Mystic Warriors Of The Plains by --Thomas E. Mails--
There is not an effective way to "knock" on the door of a tipi or lodge, so there is "scratching." Upon entering another person's lodge the guest was generally given the seat of honor (if a friend, as disrespect could be shown otherwise) and if more than one visitor was invited in then the most important or leader of the group would most likely have the seat behind the fire, directly across from the entery. No one ever walked between the fire and another person unless a respectful salutation was offered first. As well, the guest was never pressured or coerced into the reason for the visit, unless an intentional breach of courtecy was intended, and a somewhat solemn air of silence was the norm. The ceremony or ritual "pipe" generally filled the "silent" void, if tobacco was plentiful. The guest might even be expected to provide the tobacco if the visit was requested or unanounced by the visitor. The Dukes and Earls of Europe, as well as, the Astors of the East really had nothing on the Indian in the way of manners and protocall so far as hospitality was concerned.
The sharing of any substance or item of personal belonging was a common practice observed by every member of a tribe, it was considered to be very honorable to to extend one's generosity. An overall alturistic attitude was extremely pervasive within a village. A fat puppy or dog, as a main course in a meal was considered "prime doins." So far as property went, how better to extend one's hospitality to an overnight guest than to offer a favorite wife to the guest for pleasure?
In the trapper's camp things might not be as formal, but a cry of "hallo th' camp" was always expected and might keep a visitor healthy instead of making them a dead intruder. Though mountain men knew, understood, and observed the rituals of the tribes they visited their camps tended to be very informal, even crude, by comparison. However, as in any dealings with armed and dangerous men, when they are together in a living arrangement like a trapper's camp, things might be trying at times, but almost always, respectful. A highly armed society is for the most part, a very polite one! Rondezvous was the exception to the general rules concerning etiquette in the mountains due to the alcohol consummed, but also, folks showed up to have a general blowout. The "arwerdenty" which was procured at the "ronnyvoo" was a great lubricator. It could even slide one into a breach of etiquette of such severity as to bring on a confrontation with the most dire of consequences. Remember the terms-armed and dangerous!!!
Below are links to other people's lodges where I'm sure the welcome is one where only the warmest of hospitality is offered to the visitor. Some offer information, others offer resources, and still others offer simply themselves to the traveler. I've visited these links personally and can tell you from first hand experience that every stop is worthwhile. These are lodges where an attitude of hospitality and alturism is considered the norm and not the exception. Be sure and keep the bicarb. handy cause at some stops the dog is kind of spicy. GOOD TRAILS!
Shoshone.Com
Innes Shay Montgomery's Wilderness Home Page
Native American Technology and Art
Ian's End Of The Trail Home Page
BRYAN BROWN-Lt. Hesse-Kassel Jager Korps
Index of Native American Resources on the Internet
Mid
America Buckskinners Info Page
Maryland
Loyalists and the American Revolution
"BUCKSKINNERS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION" (BCA)
BEST VIEWED WITH NAVIGATOR 3.0
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