Dec. 1901. The Oraibi Powamu Ceremony — Voth. gi 



Fifth Song. At a signal from the Powamu priest all present tie 

 a s«iall eagle feather nakwakwosi to the hair on top of their heads and 

 to the heads of the novitiates.* When the song ceases the Powamu 

 priest also fastens a nakwakwosi to his hair. 



Sixth Song. The songs are from now on accompanied by two 

 rattles and at the conclusion of each the Powamu chief asperges. 



Seventh Song, (very long). At its conclusion the men around the 

 altar again smoke and then also the men sitting on the elevated por- 

 tion of the kiva, when a short prayer is uttered by the Powamu priest. 

 A pinch of corn-meal is handed from the altar to every one present, 

 except the novitiates, and then follows a short recess during which 

 all who had occupied the elevated portion of the kiva go out. Among 

 them is the man who is to act as the Chowilawu Katcina, and who has 

 been sitting in the extreme southeast corner wrapped up in his 

 blanket and concealed by the other men during this part of the cere- 

 mony. The novitiates are not supposed to know that the Chowilawu 

 Katcina, which they are to see later in the evening, is a Hopi, and 

 hence great care is taken to keep his identity concealed. No fire is 

 allowed in the kiva before this recess and when I on one occasion had 

 lit a candle I was asked to extinguish it, as the novitiates were not to 

 see what was going on. While the other men return to the kiva 

 immediately, the Chowilawu man runs to a place east of the village, 

 puts on his mask and waits until he is fetched, as will be related 

 presently. 



During the recess the Powamu priest dons his ceremonial kilt, 

 takes the medicine bowl, aspergill and a baho and mounts the 

 banquette, standing close to the small altar. Next to him stands 

 Koyongainiwa holding a pinch of corn-meal in his hand. Next to 

 Koyongainiwa stand two old women (Singossi, Badger clan, the wife 

 of the Soyal priest, and Sikahoinoma, Katcina clan, the wife of 

 Lomaashniwa) and usually two or three younger women and girls 

 dressed in the white ceremonial blanket {aide) and holding a tray with 

 corn-meal. The Katcina priest also having put on his ceremonial kilt 

 {pitkund) and sash {mochapngonkwawa), takes from the small altar one 

 of the natsi sticks and a tray with meal, on which are also lying a few 

 naktvak7i>osis. He holds the tray with both hands, the stick in his left 

 hand and takes a position west of the fireplace, his face towards the 

 north. Having first said in a low tone : '' Nu yuk hopo Ki'shiwuu ao it 

 i wuyayu wangwaini.'' (From there, east, at Ki'shiwuu do I call my 



*One or more feathers worn in the hair ia ceremonies are called ««<few<7«V« ,• "nak-wa" from 

 " nawakwa" means want, wish, would like to, desire, etc. 



