Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts
The oral traditions of the Blackfeet people, a powerful and influential Native American tribe inhabiting the Great Plains of North America, are rich with tales of heroism, supernatural encounters, and profound spiritual significance. These legends, passed down through generations, offer a glimpse into the Blackfeet worldview, their values, and their deep connection to the land. Among these captivating narratives is the story of the "Camp of the Ghosts," a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit. This particular legend, meticulously documented by George Bird Grinnell in 1913, delves into the harrowing journey of a grieving widower who ventures into the realm of the dead to reclaim his beloved wife.
George Bird Grinnell, a naturalist, conservationist, and ethnologist, dedicated a significant portion of his life to studying and documenting the cultures of various Native American tribes. His work, including "Blackfeet Indians Stories," serves as a valuable resource for understanding the beliefs and customs of these communities. Grinnell’s approach, characterized by respect and genuine interest, allowed him to gain the trust of Blackfeet elders and record their stories with accuracy and sensitivity. The tale of the Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts is just one example of the many fascinating narratives preserved through his efforts.
The story begins with a man deeply in love with his wife. Their happiness is complete with the birth of their son, but joy turns to sorrow when the woman falls gravely ill. Despite the best efforts of healers, her condition deteriorates, and she eventually passes away. The young man is inconsolable, his grief compounded by the thought of raising their child alone. He refuses to consider taking another wife, his heart solely belonging to the woman he has lost. Consumed by despair, he embarks on a solitary journey, carrying his infant son on his back, seeking solace in the vastness of the landscape.
After wandering for some time, the man makes a heart-wrenching decision. He brings his son to his mother’s lodge, entrusting the child to her care. He announces his intention to find his deceased wife and bring her back, a seemingly impossible quest fueled by the intensity of his love. He sets off towards the Sand Hills, his path uncertain, his heart heavy with sorrow. The Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts sets a somber tone with this scene, highlighting the depth of the man’s devotion and the desperation that drives him.
On the fourth night of his journey, the man experiences a vivid dream. He finds himself in a small lodge, where an old woman resides. She inquires about his presence, and he reveals his profound grief and the purpose of his journey. He explains that he is searching for his wife, unable to bear the thought of living without her. The old woman acknowledges his pain and informs him that his wife has passed through her realm. However, she lacks the power to assist him directly. Instead, she directs him to another old woman living near a distant butte, claiming that she possesses the necessary power to aid him in his quest. She also reveals the existence of the "Camp of the Ghosts," located beyond the second old woman’s dwelling, a place where the spirits of the dead reside. This dream sequence provides the man with hope and direction, setting the stage for the next phase of his perilous journey into the Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts.
Awakening from his dream, the man follows the old woman’s instructions and travels towards the butte. The journey is arduous, taking him an entire summer’s day. Upon reaching his destination, he finds no lodge and is forced to sleep under the open sky. That night, he experiences another dream. This time, he sees a small lodge and an old woman who calls out to him. He enters the lodge, and the old woman addresses him, acknowledging his grief and the reason for his arrival. She knows that he is searching for his wife, who now resides in the ghost country, a place difficult and dangerous to reach. The old woman acknowledges the slim chance of success but promises to use her power to help him.
The second old woman provides the man with specific instructions and a bundle of mysterious objects to aid him on his journey. She explains that she will travel to the Camp of the Ghosts and attempt to bring back some of his deceased relatives. If she succeeds, he can accompany them to the ghost camp, but with a crucial condition: he must keep his eyes closed during the journey. Opening his eyes, she warns, will result in his immediate death and permanent entrapment in the spirit world. She further instructs him on what to say when he arrives at the camp, emphasizing the importance of following her instructions precisely. The Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts is filled with these supernatural elements, highlighting the tribe’s belief in the interconnectedness of the living and the dead.
After a time, the old woman returns with one of the man’s deceased relatives. He prepares to embark on the final leg of his journey, accompanied by the spirit of his kin. As they approach the large lodge at the entrance of the Camp of the Ghosts, a voice calls out, demanding to know his purpose and who authorized his presence. The man replies as instructed, stating that his grandmother, who is standing with him, sent him. Despite the unsettling atmosphere and the attempts of the ghosts to frighten him with terrifying sights and sounds, he maintains his composure and presses onward. He continues deeper into the Camp of the Ghosts, his resolve unwavering.
Eventually, he reaches another lodge, where the chief of the ghosts emerges and questions him about his presence. The young man reveals his unwavering love for his deceased wife, his inconsolable grief, and the constant sorrow of his orphaned son. He explains that he desires no other wife, only the one he has lost. The chief ghost expresses astonishment at his presence, stating that no living person has ever ventured into their realm before. He warns the man of the dangers that lie ahead, emphasizing the possibility that he may never return to the land of the living. Despite the ominous warning, the man remains steadfast in his determination. The chief ghost invites him into his lodge, signifying the beginning of a perilous test of his love and courage within the heart of the Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts.
The chief ghost informs the man that he will stay in the camp for four nights and will be granted the opportunity to see his wife, but only if he exercises extreme caution. Failure to do so, he warns, will result in his permanent demise. The chief ghost then announces a feast, inviting the man’s father-in-law and other deceased relatives to attend. He presents the invitation as if the man himself has become a ghost, newly arrived in the spirit world. The invited ghosts are initially reluctant to enter the lodge, repulsed by the scent of a living human. To appease them, the chief ghost burns sweet pine on the fire, masking the human odor and allowing the ghosts to enter and partake in the feast.
During the feast, the chief ghost addresses the assembled spirits, imploring them to have pity on the man. He emphasizes the man’s unwavering devotion to his wife, his arduous journey, and the profound sorrow he feels for his orphaned son. He appeals to their compassion, urging them to return his wife to him. The ghosts confer among themselves, and finally, one of them speaks to the man, informing him that he will stay for four nights, after which they will bestow upon him the Worm Pipe, a sacred object, and return his wife to him, allowing him to return to his home. The Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts takes an optimistic turn at this moment, offering the possibility of a happy resolution.
On the third night, the chief ghost gathers all the people of the ghost camp together. The man’s wife appears among them, accompanied by a ghost who beats a drum and another who carries the Worm Pipe, which is presented to the man. The chief ghost delivers a final warning, emphasizing the importance of following their instructions precisely. He explains that the man and his wife will begin their journey homeward the next day, accompanied by some of his deceased relatives for four days. During this time, he must keep his eyes shut at all times. Opening them, he warns, will result in his permanent return to the ghost world. He also explains that his wife is no longer a living person. Only in the middle of the fourth day, when instructed to look, will he see that his wife has been restored to her former state and that his ghost relatives have vanished.
Before the man departs, his father-in-law imparts crucial instructions. He warns the man not to return to the camp immediately upon reaching his home. Instead, he must inform his relatives of his return and ask them to build a sweat lodge for him. He must enter the sweat lodge and cleanse his body thoroughly, leaving no part untouched. Failure to do so, he warns, will result in his death, as the essence of the ghost world is difficult to remove and can only be purged through a thorough sweat. He also cautions the man against mistreating his wife, warning that any act of violence, even a seemingly harmless gesture, will cause her to vanish and return to the Camp of the Ghosts.
The man and his wife, accompanied by his deceased relatives, embark on their journey homeward. On the fourth day, his wife instructs him to open his eyes. He obeys, and he sees that his ghostly companions have disappeared, and he and his wife are standing in front of the old woman’s lodge by the butte. The old woman emerges from her lodge and demands the return of her mysterious medicines, the source of the power that enabled him to achieve his goal. The man returns the objects to her, and he is fully restored to the realm of the living. This marks the culmination of the Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts.
As they approach the camp, the woman goes ahead and sits on a butte. Curious onlookers come out to investigate, but the woman instructs them to stay back and inform her mother and relatives to build a lodge for them a short distance from the camp, along with a sweat lodge nearby. Once this is done, the man and his wife enter the sweat lodge and undergo a thorough purification ritual. Afterward, they enter the lodge, burn sweet grass to purify their clothing and the Worm Pipe, and welcome their relatives and friends. The man recounts his extraordinary journey to the Camp of the Ghosts, explaining how he managed to bring his wife back and revealing that the pipe hanging over the doorway is the Worm Pipe, a sacred gift from his ghost father-in-law. This is how the Worm Pipe came into the possession of the Blackfeet people, specifically the band of Piegans known as the Worm People.
However, the story does not end there. Not long after their return, the man asks his wife to perform a task. When she hesitates, he impulsively grabs a burning brand from the fire and raises it as if to strike her, though he does not intend to actually harm her. In that instant, she vanishes without a trace, never to be seen again. This tragic ending serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the fragility of life and the importance of honoring the conditions set forth by the spirit world. The Blackfeet Legends – Camp of the Ghosts concludes with a reminder of the delicate balance between the living and the dead.