Ceremonies of the Pomo Indians

This study records the ceremonial traditions and organization of the Pomo, based largely on elder informants and limited direct observation after native practices had declined. It outlines ritual offices and protocols for inviting participants, then gives detailed descriptions of major observances — notably the ghost or devil ceremony with its inverted speech and movements, the Guksu rites, scarifying and purification practices, fire-eating, and healing procedures — and catalogs dances (mixed, male-only, female-only), musical accompaniments, and variations introduced by a later Messiah cult, highlighting symbolic roles, sequence of actions, and material paraphernalia.