A Study of Siouan Cults Eleventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1889-1890, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1861, pages 351-544

"A Study of Siouan Cults" by James Owen Dorsey is a historical exploration of the religious traditions of Siouan peoples, such as the Omaha and Ponka tribes, during the late 1800s. The text examines their worship systems, associated ceremonies, and specific cultural practices. The author starts by explaining key terms and concepts like "cult" and "Siouan," clarifying the tribes to be discussed, mentioning his first hand experiences with the tribes that help to inform his work, and highlights how important it is to collect information directly by observing and talking with the people in them. The book challenges the concept of a single "Great Spirit" within Siouan spirituality. It advocates for a more complex understanding of their beliefs and the ways in which they categorize happenings as either human or superhuman which lays the groundwork for a detailed look at the beliefs and customs connected to the tribes' religious life.