FROM CARD: "STAFF COVERED WITH CLOTH AT THE END OF A DART AND CRESCENT OF BONE. DECORATED WITH PAINT AND BEADS. LOANED TO RENWICK CELEBRATIONS 2/11/1982. RETURNED 6/1983. ILLUS.: P.166, PL. 214C, CELEBRATIONS CATALOGUE, SMITHSONIAN PRESS, 1982. [From Celebrations catalogue:] Ghost Dance Staff, ca, 1885-97, Northern Arapaho Indians; Wyoming. wood, hide, glass beads, cloth, sinew, bone. 30 x 5 x 3/4 (76.2 x 12.7 x 1.9). Though little is known about the exact use of Arapaho staffs, it is believed that such staffs were used during the Ghost Dance to stimulate hypnotic trances. Among the Arapaho, the arrow frequently symbolizes lightning."
