Dec. 1901. The Oraibi Powamu Ceremony — Voth. 105 



the kiva and the village towards the north, where they deposit the 

 prayer offerings and divest themselves of their paraphernalia behind 

 some rock and then repair to the Honani kiva, bringing their cos- 

 tumes with them, wrapped up in blankets. 



After the Katcinas have left the kiva, Shokhungyoma, Lomankwa- 

 ima and Koyongainiwa speak a few words to the novitiates, charging 

 them not to reveal anything of what they have seen and heard in the 

 kiva, whereupon the Katcina chief and then all the others leave the 

 kiva and go to their respective homes except those who participate in 

 the Powamu ceremony, who go to the Honani kiva. A few of the old 

 men remain and sweep up the remains of the sand mosaic, wrap up 

 and take away the beads, feathers, etc., and then also go to the 

 Honani kiva where all first indulge in a smoke around the fireplace 

 and then partake of a supper. The usual evening ceremony is on this 

 occasion suspended. 



Those who have been initiated as just described may now learn 

 the Katcina songs, know their traditions and in fact all the secrets 

 connected with the Katcina cult and may act as Katcinas. But they 

 can not act as naamu (fathers) of the Katcinas, /. e. lead them to the 

 plaza, sprinkle them with meal, make prayer offerings for them, etc. 

 That is the prerogative of the Popwamu (members of the Powamu 

 fraternity). 



There is a tradition among the Hopi that this flogging ceremony 

 was not always a part of the Powamu ceremony. It is stated that on 

 one occasion a boy who had been initiated into the Powamu fraternity 

 had revealed the secrets that he had seen and heard. A* council of 

 the leaders of the fraternity was at once called and the question dis- 

 cussed as to what to do about it. All urged that a severe punish- 

 ment be inflicted upon the perpetrator. Only the kalehtakmongwi 

 (Warrior chief), now represented by Koyongainiwa, remained silent. 

 After having been asked four times by the others as to his opinion 

 about the matter, he first also expressed his displeasure at the occur- 

 rence and then suggested that the boy be flogged before all the other 

 novitiates by Katcinas as a punishment and as a warning to the rest. 

 This was done, and the custom was continued. While a good deal 

 of obscurity exists in the tradition as to the details of the manner in 

 which the custom became a part of the Powamu ceremony, etc., it is 

 stated in a general way that forever after the members of the family to 

 which that boy belonged and their descendants were initiated into the 

 Katcina society in the manner described in the preceding pages. 



