Similar midnight ceremonials, but briefer, are observed on the occasion
of the great midwinter tribal hunts, the times for which are fixed by
the Keeper of the Deer Medicine, the master and warrior priests of the
Sa-ni-a-k'ia-kwe; and the religious observances accompanying and
following which would form one of the most interesting chapters
connected with the fetich worship of the Zuni's.
These ceremonials and tribal hunts are more and more rarely observed, on
account of the scarcity of game and of the death a few years since of
the warrior priest above mentioned, without whose assistance they cannot
be performed. This position has been recently refilled, and I hope
during the coming winter to be enabled, not only to witness one of these
observances, but also to join in it; a privilege which will be granted
to me on account of my membership in the order of the Priesthood of the
Bow.
Any hunter, provided he be one privileged to participate in the above
described ceremonials--namely, a Prey brother--supplies himself, when
preparing for the chase, not only with his weapons, &c., but also with a
favorite or appropriate prey fetich. In order to procure the latter he
proceeds, sooner or later before starting, to the House of the Deer
Medicine (Nal-e-ton i[']n-kwin), where the vessel containing the
fetiches is brought forth by the Keeper or some substitute, and placed
before him. Pacing in the direction of the region to which belongs the
particular fetich which he designs to use, he sprinkles into and over
the vessel sacred prayer or medicine meal. Then holding a small quantity
of the meal in his left hand, over the region of his heart, he removes
his head-band and utters the following prayer:
Ma: Lu-k'ia yaet-ton-ne, hom tae-tchu, hom tsi-ta, tom lithl ha
Why! This day, my father, my mother, (to)thee here I
te-kwin-te te-ae-tip, o-na el-le-te-k'ia. Hothl yam a-tae-tchu
unexpectedly have trail overtaken. Soever for my Fathers
(by) road
Ka-ka A[']-shi-wa-ni, we-ma a-shi-wa-ni, K'ia-pin-a-ha-i
sacred dance priest-(gods), Prey priest-(gods), the gods
animal beings
awen ha lithl yam te-li-ki-na yel-le-te-u-k'o-na
theirs I here my sacred things made ready (which)
for them (plumes, etc.,
literally relatives
of the species)
te-li-ki-na i-thle-a-nan tom lithl ha o-na el-le-te-k'ia; tom
sacred things with (me) unto here I road overtaken; unto
bringing thee by (have) thee
trail
lithl ha hael-lo-wa-ti-nan thle-a-u tom an te-ap-k'o-nan
here I good fortune (ad)dress thy own wherewith (thou
hast being)
ae[']n-ti-shem-an a-k'ia yam a-wi-te-lin tsi-ta, ha lithl
wishing for hence, to my all earth mother I here
te-u-su a-k'ia o-ne yathl kwai-k'ia-na.
(with prayer) hence, trail over go out shall.
(-from), prayer
Le-we u-lokh nan thla-na tom te-ap-k'o-nan sho-hi-ta tom
Thus much (of the) great thy wherewith (thou (the) deer thy
world hast being)
pi-nan a-k'ia a-u-la-sho. Awen shi-nan, awen k'iah-kwin
wind by encircle about Their flesh their life fluid
breath (of hence wander around. (blood)
life)
hothl an-ti-she-man a-k'ia, le-hok te-u-su a k'ia ha o-ne
soever wanting hence yonder prayer hence I trail
(from me) with
kwai k'ia-na.
go out (shall).
Kwa-i-no-ti-nam hothl yam te-ap-k'o-nan a-k'ia hom ta
Without fail where- thy wherewith (thou hence (by) to me thou
(unfailingly) soever for me hast being)
ke-tsae-ti-k'ia-na. Hom ta te-k'o-ha-na an-ik tchi-a-tu.
happy (make, do). Unto me thou (the) light meet with (_do_).