In the old times, perhaps a thousand years ago, men of each Iroquois nation had these songs for contesting magic power. Only magicians belonged to this society, and only magicians danced. All the old songs which they used referred to their powers. While they were dancing they demonstrated these powers by “throwing,” or “shooting sharp objects,” such as “horns” [antler, which gives to part of the ritual the name of gai”don’ (sharp point)], or one would sing “something [like a bear] is running around.” The magician would then transform himself into a bear and run around there in the room. Another would make a twig stand of itself in the center of the room while the other medicine men danced around it. Still another would in turn go to the fire and remove red hot stones and juggle them. A man lacking this kind of power could not do this.

Later they decided to abandon these songs. But the old songs kept continually molesting the people who felt compelled to do something about it; and so the old magicians held council. They decided that they cannot abandon the songs, and that they must carry on. They have continued through all the generations that followed. Now only the songs have power. Now only the one who wears the mask has the power to juggle live embers when he is impersonating the ancients. No one any longer tosses hot rocks.