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the reason, but the most recent reason which I have heard is
because when we die, our spirits go toward the west. After
they have lain the body facing west, fire is lit. After four
days the people return and again light a fire. Then four shots
are fired with a rifle. After the shots are fired, they say
the spirit leaves the body, rises, and goes to the happy hunting
ground.
C: Is the happy hunting ground and what the white man calls heaven
the same place?
0: It is about the same. However, when the Indian is talking about
the happy hunting ground, this is an English literal translation
which in fact meant a great place for good hunting.
There are some blind women living on the reservation. They
are very happy, and their attitude to life is a good example of
their feeling toward their condition. They feel that their
blindness is only temporary. They believethe very instant their
spirit leaves their bodies, they will no longer be blind, and
they will experience the sights of a real and lasting beauty.
The ladies talk about the need for the Seminoles to go
through a ceremony which includes having the arms burned in de-
signated places. When this is done it ensures the person for
his journey into the happy hunting ground. They warned that if
a Seminole does not have these markings, they will not be able
to go there. These burns will light the way when it is time for
the Seminole who is going to the happy hunting ground. On his
way he will have to cross a bridge which is as narrow as the
sole of one's foot and it is dark. The light will come from the
burns on the arms so the person can see where to step, and
the way will be made easy for him. However, if the Seminole
did not receive these burns on the arms, when this person at-
tempts to cross the bridge he will not have any light to help him.
Below is nothing but boiling water. He will not fall in it, but
he will be given this boiling water to drink for always. He will
spend eternity looking for death. During his lifetime, if
he had committed crimes such as lying or stealing, etc., he
will have to suffer eternally for his misdeeds. The elderly
women told me that they did not want me to go through this
torture, so that is why they wanted me to take part in the
burning ceremony. As far as I know all the Seminoles still go
through this ceremony.
C: (Osceola looked at one of the young women who was sitting and
listening to him talk. He asked her if she went through this
ceremony. She said, "Yes," and showed him her scars she re-
ceived from the burning ceremony. Christians and non-Christians
as well, to my knowledge, have gone through this ceremony.)