Note 110 — THE ETHNOLOGY OF PEYOTISM

Mooney (The Mescal Plant, 8) writes: “At midnight a vessel of water is passed around, and each takes a drink and sprinkles a few drops upon his head.” We believe Mooney has slipped into error here, for this “baptismal” ceremony comes in the morning when the contents of the drum, not the bucket, are used. Non-Kiowa data likewise agree on this point. According to Mooney, the leader drinks first among the Comanche. The Caddo drink no water at this time: “One must suffer to peyote.” Such abstemiousness with a thirst-producing substance like peyote suggests the psychological flavor of the vision quest. Note that Anhalonium means “without salt.” “If there is suffering, this is the time. That’s the reason I took a good rest so I could stand it. Many a time I have fallen over at this time. The hour of the Crucifixion. Everyone is suffering now ... the dark hour” (Simmons, in Peyote Road).