In a message dated 7/25/2002 12:55:24 PM Central Daylight Time, wood_owl@hotmail.com writes: > > I don't recall exactly, except that the bonepickers were then invited as > the > guest of honor at a big feast, where some of the decaying flesh still clung > to their long fingernails. This struck the European observers as not > exactly > wholesome. It was one of the practices targeted immediately for > extermination by missionaries. > > George Ann, it seems that since only the Choctaws of so many tribes practiced this ritual, it was not only repugnant to Europeans but also to all other Indian tribes in this hemisphere. I for one am glad it is not a custom that is still around. At least I hope so and I hope it stays so. John Craven New Orleans

There is a good description of the entire "Turkey-Buzzard Man" ritual in (I think) Swanton's "Social and Ceremonial Practices of the Choctaw". Don';t eat lunch before reading it. dusty