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It was/is a Tribal custom of the Paiute or Sioux Indians, even the skeptical occut scholar and science-fiction writer admits it was A(an Invention of sorts) I believe one Tr8ibal chieftain or Medicine man was the principal architect. The American Indians did not use the phrase (Witch Doctor) but did have Shamans and Tribal medicine men steeped in Occult practices such as Totem Poles and the oddly portative Kachina Dolls used in Santa Fe territory and often confused with Totem Poles. the Kachina Dolls also spelled Katchina (nothing to do with the Ghost-Dance ritual) were associated with children in some tribes. among the tribes who used them, Katchina Dolls were buried with children who died young so there is a spirtual angle. I believe the katchina doll which usually had a helmet or headgear was placed at a diagonal angle(somewhat akin to GSA flag salute) across the body of the dead child. I hyave neber seen an American Indian funeral , so this is speculative.

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16y ago

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