Feb., 1912. The Oraibi Marau Ceremony — Voth. 49 



way a is omitted, the four meal lines on the four kiva walls are not made, 

 and the ceremony of dipping the ears of corn, etc., into the charm 

 liquid is dispensed with, No. 8 only asperging occasionally while the 

 first two songs are chanted. After the singing No. 8 throws a pinch 

 of meal through the hatch-way and Wickwaya and Navini smoke, the 

 first at his usual place in the circle, the latter at the fireplace. Both 

 spurt a little pinch of honey about them after the smoking. 



On one occasion I noticed that a few other women had come in on 

 this morning. They sat back of the circle but also received some 

 sacred meal and at the close of the ceremony sprinkled it towards the 

 altar. 



At about seven o'clock food is brought to the kiva for the morning 

 meal. Those who bring it announce their arrival at the outside and 

 are greeted by askwali! (thanks), by the women in the kiva, the latter 

 going up the ladder and taking down the vessels. When the food is 

 all standing on the floor a small pinch of the various dishes and of the 

 piki is placed on the floor in front of the altar. Before eating all stand 

 around the food and sing quietly for about fifteen minutes, whereupon 

 they squat down on the floor around the board and eat, except Wick- 

 waya, his sister and her assistant who occupy their places in the north- 

 west corner of the kiva. They fast this day again the same as the 

 day before, i. e., they eat in the evening only. The others eat, but no 

 foods seasoned with salt. 



In one ceremony were noticed at this time in front of the altar 

 twelve small food bowls; also four piki trays on top of each other and 

 in the uppermost tray four small trays. The bowls contained some kind 

 of a stew, the trays piki (the typical Hopi wafer bread) and the small 

 trays a white mush. On top of the latter lay a small quantity of some 

 other kind of food which was also offered with the food from the other 

 bowls, as already stated. Of the food in these containers the three 

 chief leaders eat in the evening. 



After breakfast the leaders deseed, card and spin cotton, and some 

 prayer offerings are made; a baho for the sun and nakwakwosis for 

 the world quarters, by Wickwaya. Just what kind by the women 

 was not recorded. Besides this, nothing of importance is going on. 

 The chief leaders spend most of their time at their usual place; some 

 sleep, others gossip. 



At one time I noticed on this forenoon Navini occupy the place in 

 the north-west corner that the assistant priestess usually occupies. 

 Whether the seat was not to be left vacant while she was out or whether 

 it was for some other reason I did not learn. 



In the afternoon the women practiced mostly singing, moving 



