HOPI MARRIAGE RITES ON THE WEDDING 

 MORNING. 



As the heading indicates this brief sketch does not intend to describe, 

 even briefly, an entire Hopi marriage ceremony, which includes different 

 preparations, rites, etc., iunning through several months. 1 It simply 

 gives the proceedings and rites of the morning of the wedding day 

 proper, after which the contracting parties are considered married, 

 subsequent observances and customs (that still form a part of the 

 entire marriage ceremony) notwithstanding. 



The author was well acquainted with the young people and all 

 that were present. The wedding took place in Oraibi in the home of 

 the groom's uncle and aunt, his parents having died long before. This 

 aunt was the sister of the village chief, and of the chief priest of the 

 Soyal fraternity, who at the same time was also a member of various 

 other societies. She is probably the most important woman of the 

 village, and I have seen her figure very conspicuously in different 

 secret religious ceremonies, especially in the Soyal and Marau. When 

 her sister, the mother of the groom, died years ago, she adopted 

 all the orphan children, I think seven in number, and was to them a 

 real mother. She had no children of her own. Her husband is also 

 one of the prominent men of the village and of the Soyal society. 



The marriage took place on March i, 1904, and the following persons 

 were present: 



Talaskwaptiwa, Tawa (Sun) clan, stepfather of the groom. 



Pungnyanomsi, Honawu (Bear) clan, stepmother of the groom. 



Sivanka, Ishawuu (Coyote) clan, mother of the bride. 



Xukwamosi, Ishawuu (Coyote) clan, grandmother of bride on 

 mother's side. 



Sakwmosi, Ishawuu (Coyote) clan. 



Bayamka, Ishawuu (Coyote) clan. 



Xuvavanka, Ishawuu (Coyote) clan. 



Kiwanhoynom, Ishawuu (Coyote) clan. 



Mosinomka, Tuwa (Sand) clan. 



Nasingyaonom, Honani (Badger) clan, grandmother of bride on 

 father's side. 



Honanmana, Ishawuu (Bear) clan. 



•See the author's "Oraibi Marriage Customs." American Anthropologist. Vol. II. April-June. looo. 



147 



