57. The eagle spake, saying: Behold the hollow of my foot,
58. Which I have made to be the sign of old age.
59. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
60. They shall live to see the sign of old age in the hollow of
their foot.
61. The wrinkles upon my shin,
62. I have made to be the sign of old age.
63. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
64. They shall live to see wrinkles upon their shin.
65. The folds of the skin on my knee,
66. I have made to be the sign of old age.
67. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
68. They shall live to see the skin of their knee gathered in folds.
69. The stripes on the feathers of my thigh,
70. I have made to be the sign of old age.
71. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
72. They shall live to see the sign of old age upon their thigh.
73. The stripes upon my breast,
74. I have made to be the sign of old age.
75. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
76. They shall live to see the sign of old age on their breast.
77. The stripes upon the corners of my mouth,
78. I have made to be the sign of old age.
79. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
80. They shall live to see the sign of old age in the corners of
their mouth.
81. The stripes upon my forehead,
82. I have made to be the sign of old age.
83. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
84. They shall live to see the sign of old age on their forehead.
85. The folds of my eyelids,
86. I have made to be the sign of old age.
87. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
88. They shall live to see the sign of old age on their eyelids.
89. I have been able to bring myself to old age.
90. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
91. They also shall be able to bring themselves to old age.
92. I have been able to bring myself to the calm and peaceful days.
93. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
94. They also shall be able to bring themselves to the calm and
peaceful days, as they travel the path of life.
THE CHILD IS PASSED FROM GENS TO GENS TO BE BLESSED
At the close of the simultaneous recital of the wi´-gi-es by the
Noⁿ´-hoⁿ-zhiⁿ-ga of the six gentes, namely, the Wa´-ṭse-ṭsi, Tho´-xe,
Noⁿ´-poⁿ-da, Çiⁿ´-dse-a-gthe, I´-ba-ṭse, and the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge,
the Sho´-ḳa carries the infant to the head of the Wa´-ṭse-ṭsi gens,
who takes it in his arms, then, dipping the tips of the fingers into
a wooden vessel, in which had been put sacred water and red cedar
fronds, he gently touches with his moistened fingertips the lips, head,
arms, and body of the little one. This ceremonial act is an appeal to
Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da to grant to the little one health and strength so that it
may grow to maturity and old age without interruption by disease.
The child is next taken by the Sho´-ḳa to the head of the Noⁿ´-poⁿ-da
gens, who blesses it in the same manner with the symbolic water and
cedar fronds.
Then the little one is taken to the head of the I´-ba-ṭse gens, who
touches the lips, head, arms and body of the child with pounded corn,
besides the sacred water and cedar fronds. The touching of the child
with the life-giving corn is an act of appeal to Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da that the
child be not permitted to suffer for want of food during its life, so
that it may reach maturity and old age without difficulty. The gentile
symbol of the I´-ba-ṭse gens is the wind but it was authorized by the
Tho´-xe gens to use the corn ritual in its child-naming ritual.
The Sho´-ḳa takes the little one from the I´-ba-ṭse to the head of the
Tho´-xe, Buffalo-bull, gens. In the mythical story of the origin of the
maize it was Tho´-xe, Buffalo-bull, who gave to the people the maize
and the squash. (See 36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., pp. 279-281,
lines 54 to 110.) The head of the Tho´-xe gens takes the little one
in his arms and blesses it with the sacred water and cedar fronds as
did the Wa´-ṭse-ṭsi, then, mixing some of his own pounded corn with
that of the I´-ba-ṭse, he blesses the child with the sacred corn, the
life symbol of his own gens. The ceremonial act of the Tho´-xe is an
expression of the wish that the life-giving corn will aid the new
member of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens to successfully reach maturity
and old age.
The next to take the child in his arms and bless it with the symbolic
water, cedar fronds and corn is the head of the Çiⁿ´-dse-a-gthe, Wolf,
gens. His ceremonial acts do not differ from those of the Tho´-xe.
The Sho´-ḳa then brings the little one to its own gens, the Ṭsi´-zhu
Wa-shta-ge, the People of Peace. The head of the gens takes the little
one in his arms and blesses it in the same manner in which the Tho´-xe
blessed it. This is the gens to whom the sick are brought that they
might taste of the sacred food prepared by them and be strengthened.
From this healing power the members of the gens like to take the name,
Wa-stse´-e-doⁿ, Good-doctor.
When each of these gentes had blessed the child in turn the Sho´-ḳa
brings the mother to the Xo´-ḳa, who places in her hands two little
sticks, each of which represents a sacred name of the gens of which the
little one has now become a member. The Xo´-ḳa bids her take one of the
names represented by the sticks. The mother usually takes for her child
the name that is most euphonious and which she thinks has the greater
religious significance. The selection of a name for the new member of
the gens closes the ceremony.
During the month of April, 1916, Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ was summoned to the
house of Wa-xthi´-zhi to name his grandson, whose father is a member
of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens. Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ promptly responded
to the call but Wa-xthi´-zhi became uncertain as to whether or not
the ceremonial naming of a child according to the ancient tribal
rites would come under the prohibition of the new religion which he
had accepted against the practice of the ancient Osage ceremonies.
The full ceremony was omitted, but the old man was asked to offer to
the mother the choice of two sacred names: Moⁿ-zhoⁿ´, Earth (see p.
70, line 45), and Wa-stse´-e-doⁿ, Good-doctor. The mother, a member
of the Iⁿ-gthoⁿ´-ga (Puma) gens, chose for her son, a member of the
Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens, the name Wa-stse´-e-doⁿ. Although the
full child-naming ceremony was omitted, Wa-xthi´-zhi gave as fees
to Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ a horse, a blanket, and other articles of value,
amounting to about one hundred and fifty dollars.
The first wi´-gi-e recited in the child-naming ritual given by
Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ (pp. 60 to 67) is entitled Wa-zho´-i-ga-the Wi´-gi-e,
literally, The Taking of Bodies, and freely translated, The Taking of
Life Symbols. In this wi´-gi-e eight gods, in the forms of certain
cosmic bodies, are adopted as Life Symbols. Sex is attributed to
these gods and goddesses and they are addressed as “grandfather” and
“grandmother” because of their great age and mysterious character. The
wi´-gi-e is an expression by the ancient Noⁿ´-hoⁿ-zhiⁿ-ga of their
longing desire for a tribal life that will be as lasting as that of the
gods and goddesses who forever travel in the heavens. These gods and
goddesses are paired in this wi´-gi-e as follows:
1. Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da Hoⁿ´-ba doⁿ, God of Day (the Sun), grandfather,
2. Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da Hoⁿ doⁿ, Goddess of Night (the Moon), grandmother.
3. Wa´-ṭse-do-ga, Male Star (the Morning star), grandfather,
4. Wa´-ṭse Mi-ga, Female Star (the Evening star), grandmother.
5. Wa´-ba-ha, Litter (the Dipper), grandfather,
6. Ṭa-p̣a´, Deer-head (the Pleiades), grandmother.
7. Ṭa Tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer (the three great stars that form
Orion’s Belt), grandfather,
8. Mi-ḳa-ḳ’e u-ḳi-tha-ç’iⁿ (Stars-strung-together) (theta and iota
in Orion), grandmother.
Xu´-tha-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ (Elder Ṭsi´-zhu), a war gens
of the Ṭsi´-zhu great tribal division, was asked for the Child-naming
Ritual of his gens, he being referred to as one versed in the rituals
of the Ṭsi´-zhu war gentes, but he declined to give it in full. With
some reluctance he consented to recite the first wi´-gi-e of his ritual
which corresponds to and bears the same title as the one given by
Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ, a Noⁿ´-hoⁿ-zhiⁿ-ga of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens.
(See pp. 60 to 67.)
[Illustration:
FIG. 3.—Chart of constellation Wa´-ba-ha (Ursa Major)]
[Illustration:
FIG. 4.—Chart of Ṭa Ṭha´-bthiⁿ, Three Deer (in Orion)]
In the Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ wi´-gi-e (The Taking of Life Symbols), the
people of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens implored four gods and four
goddesses of the sky for permission to take from them “bodies” for
their little ones. The people of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ, in the wi´-gi-e
recorded by Xu-thu´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ, entreated six gods and four goddesses
of the sky for permission to take “bodies” from them for their little
ones. The following is the order in which the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ people
approached these ten sky deities, the order in which they paired them
according to sex, and the terms of relationship they used in addressing
them:
1. Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da Hoⁿ´-ba doⁿ, the God of Day (the Sun), grandfather,
2. Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da Hoⁿ doⁿ, the Goddess of Night (the Moon), grandmother.
3. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e Hoⁿ-baⁿ doⁿ, the Day-star (Morning star), grandfather,
4. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e Hoⁿ´ doⁿ, the Night-star (Evening star), grandmother.
5. Wa´-ba-ha, Litter, the Dipper (Great Bear), (fig. 3), grandfather,
6. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e u-ḳi-tha-ç’iⁿ, Double-star, grandmother.
7. Ṭa-p̣a´, Deer-head, Pleiades, grandfather,
8. Ṭa Tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer, the three great stars in Orion’s belt
(fig. 4), grandmother.
9. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e Zhu-dse, Red-star, the Pole star, grandfather,
10. Shoⁿ-ge A-ga-k’e e-goⁿ, Dog-star, Sirius, grandfather.
The two wi´-gi-es do not agree as to the sexes of two of the sky
deities. In the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge wi´-gi-e, Ṭa-p̣a´ (Pleiades)
is addressed as grandmother and in that of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ as
grandfather. Ṭa-tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer, is addressed as grandfather in
the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge wi´-gi-e and in that of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ as
grandmother.
The difference between the two wi´-gi-es in this respect was spoken
of to Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ and he said: “We notice such mistakes in the
tribal rites but controversy over them is always avoided by the
Noⁿ´-hoⁿ-zhiⁿ-ga. Xu-tha´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ recited his wi´-gi-e correctly,
and we recite ours as it was handed down to us. The Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ,
being a war people, mention in their wi´-gi-e their two war gods, the
Red-star and the Dog-star; they address both as grandfather. We (the
Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge) are a peace people, therefore we do not mention
those two gods in our child-naming ritual.”
FIRST CHILD-NAMING WI´-GI-E OF THE ṬSI´-ZHU WA-NO^N GENS
The following is the first wi´-gi-e in the Child-naming Ritual of the
Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ, war gens, of the Ṭsi´-zhu great tribal division, as
recited by Xu-tha´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ.
TAKING OF LIFE SYMBOLS
1
1. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house,
2. The Ṭsi´-zhu, a people who have seven fireplaces, spake to one
another,
3. Saying: O, younger brothers,
4. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
5. Then, at that very time they spake
6. To the Sho´-ḳa Wa-ba-xi (the Chief Messenger),
7. Saying: O, younger brother,
8. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies,
9. Take heed and see what can be done.
10. Then, at that very time,
11. The Chief Messenger
12. Hastened to the
13. God of Day (the Sun), who sitteth in the heavens,
14. And returned with him to the people.
15. They spake to the God of Day, saying: O, grandfather,
16. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
17. Then, at that very time,
18. The God of Day quickly replied: It is well you sent for me.
19. Of all the groups of gods,
20. I am a god by myself.
21. The little ones shall make of me their bodies.
22. Even among the gods,
23. There is not one who has power to see my path.
24. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
25. Even among the gods
26. There is not one who shall be able to see their path, in life’s
journey.
27. Even among the gods
28. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
29. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
30. Even among the gods
31. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path, in
life’s journey.
32. Even among the gods
33. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
34. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
35. Even among the gods
36. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
37. I am not the only god,
38. Take heed and make further search.
2
39. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house,
40. The Chief Messenger
41. Hastened to the
42. Goddess of Night (the Moon), who sitteth in the heavens,
43. And returned with her to the people.
44. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother,
45. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
46. Then, at that very time,
47. The Goddess of Night replied: It is well you sent for me.
48. Of all the groups of gods,
49. I am a god by myself.
50. Even among the gods
51. There is not one who has power to see my path.
52. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
53. Even among the gods
54. There is not one who shall be able to see their path.
55. Even among the gods
56. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
57. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
58. Even among the gods
59. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
60. Even among the gods
61. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
62. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
63. Even among the gods
64. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
65. I am not the only god,
66. Take heed and make further search.
3
67. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house,
68. The Chief Messenger
69. Hastened to the
70. Star of Day (the Morning Star), who sitteth in the heavens,
71. And returned with him to the people.
72. They spake to the Star of Day, saying: O, grandfather,
73. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
74. Then, at that very time,
75. The Star of Day replied: It is well you sent for me.
76. The little ones shall make of me their bodies.
77. Of all the groups of gods,
78. I am a god by myself.
79. The little ones shall make of me their bodies.
80. Even among the gods
81. There is not one who has power to see my path.
82. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
83. Even among the gods
84. There is not one who shall be able to see their path.
85. Even among the gods
86. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
87. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
88. Even among the gods
89. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
90. Even among the gods
91. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
92. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
93. Even among the gods
94. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
95. I am not the only god,
96. Take heed and make further search.
4
97. The Chief Messenger
98. Hastened to the
99. Star of Night (the Evening Star), who sitteth in the heavens,
100. And returned with her to the people.
101. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother,
102. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
103. Then, at that very time,
104. The Star of Night replied: It is well you sent for me.
105. Of all the groups of gods
106. I am a god by myself.
107. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
108. Even among the gods
109. There is not one who shall be able to see their path, in their
life’s journey.
110. Even among the gods
111. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
112. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
113. Even among the gods
114. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path, in
their life’s journey.
115. Even among the gods
116. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
117. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
118. Even among the gods
119. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
120. I am not the only god,
121. Take heed and make further search.
5
122. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this
house,
123. The Chief Messenger
124. Hastened to the
125. Litter (Great Bear), who stands in the midst of the heavens,
126. And returned with him to the people.
127. They spake to Litter, saying: O, grandfather,
128. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
129. Then, at that very time,
130. The Litter replied: It is well you sent for me.
131. Of all the groups of gods,
132. I am a god by myself.
133. The little ones shall make of me their bodies.
134. Even among the gods
135. There is not one who has power to see my path.
136. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
137. Even among the gods
138. There is not one who shall be able to see their path, in their
life’s journey.
139. Even among the gods
140. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
141. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
142. Even among the gods
143. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
144. Even among the gods
145. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
146. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
147. Even among the gods
148. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
149. I am not the only god,
150. Take heed and make further search.
6
151. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this
house,
152. The Chief Messenger
153. Hastened to
154. Ṭa-p̣a´, Deer-head (Pleiades), who stands in the heavens,
155. And returned with her to the people.
156. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother,
157. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
158. Then, at that very time,
159. Deer-head replied: It is well you sent for me.
160. Of all the groups of gods
161. I am a god by myself.
162. Even among the gods
163. There is not one who has power to see my path.
164. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
165. Even among the gods
166. There is not one who shall be able to see their path.
167. Even among the gods
168. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
169. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
170. Even among the gods
171. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
172. Even among the gods
173. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
174. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
175. Even among the gods
176. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
177. I am not the only god,
178. Take heed and make further search.
7
179. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this
house,
180. The Chief Messenger
181. Hastened to
182. Ṭa Tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer (Orion’s belt), who sitteth in the
heavens,
183. And returned with him to the people.
184. They spake to him, saying: O, grandfather,
185. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
186. Then, at that very time,
187. Three-deer replied: Of all the groups of gods,
188. I am a god by myself.
189. The little ones shall make of me their bodies.
190. Even among the gods
191. There is not one who has power to see my path.
192. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
193. Even among the gods
194. There is not one who shall be able to see their path.
195. Even among the gods
196. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
197. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
198. Even among the gods
199. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
200. Even among the gods
201. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
202. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
203. Even among the gods
204. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
205. I am not the only god,
206. Take heed and make further search.
8
207. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this
house,
208. The Chief Messenger
209. Hastened to
210. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e U-ḳi-tha-ç’iⁿ, Double-star (theta and iota in
Orion), who sitteth in the heavens,
211. And returned with her to the people.
212. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother,
213. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
214. Then, at that very time,
215. Double-star replied: It is well you sent for me.
216. Of all the groups of gods
217. I am a god by myself.
218. Even among the gods
219. There is not one who has power to see my path.
220. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
221. Even among the gods
222. There is not one who shall be able to see their path.
223. Even among the gods
224. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
225. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
226. Even among the gods
227. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
228. Even among the gods
229. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
230. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
231. Even among the gods
232. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
233. I am not the only god,
234. Take heed and make further search.
9
235. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this
house,
236. The Chief Messenger
237. Hastened to
238. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ´e Zhu-dse, Red-star (Pole star), who sitteth in the
heavens,
239. And returned with him to the people.
240. They spake to him, saying: O, grandfather,
241. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
242. Red-star replied: It is well you sent for me.
243. Of all the groups of gods
244. I am a god by myself.
245. The little ones shall make of me their bodies.
246. Even among the gods
247. There is not one who has power to see my path.
248. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
249. Even among the gods
250. There is not one who shall be able to see their path.
251. Even among the gods
252. There is not one who has power to cross my path.
253. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
254. Even among the gods
255. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path.
256. Even among the gods
257. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going?
258. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
259. Even among the gods
260. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to
prevent their going.
261. I am not the only god,
262. Take heed and make further search.
10
263. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this
house,
264. The Chief Messenger
265. Hastened to
266. The side of the heavens
267. Where lay Shoⁿ´-ge, the Dog (Sirius), as though suspended in
the sky,
268. And returned with him to the people.
269. They spake to him, saying: O grandfather,
270. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
271. Then, at that very time,
272. The Dog replied: The little ones shall make of me their bodies,
273. Behold my toes, that are gathered closely together,
274. I have not folded them together without a purpose.
275. I have made them to be a sign of old age.
276. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
277. When they become aged men,
278. In their toes, closely folded together,
279. They shall see the sign of old age.
280. Behold the folds of skin on my ankle.
281. I have not put them there without a purpose.
282. I have made them to be a sign of old age.
283. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
284. When they become aged men,
285. In the skin of their ankles, gathered in folds,
286. They shall see the sign of old age.
287. Behold the flaccid muscles of my thigh.
288. They have not become flaccid without a purpose.
289. I have made them to be a sign of old age.
290. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
291. When they become aged men,
292. They shall see in the flaccid muscles of their thighs the sign
of old age.
293. Behold my shoulders, that are drawn close together.
294. They are not drawn together without a purpose.
295. I have made them to be a sign of old age.
296. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
297. When they become aged men,
298. They shall see in their shoulders drawn together the sign of
old age.
299. Behold the flaccid muscles of my throat.
300. They have not become flaccid without a purpose.
301. I have made them to be a sign of old age.
302. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
303. When they become aged men,
304. They shall see in the flaccid muscles of their throat the sign
of old age.
305. Behold the folds of the corners of my mouth.
306. They are not put there without a purpose.
307. I have made them to be a sign of old age.
308. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
309. When they become aged men,
310. They shall see in the corners of their mouth the sign of old
age.