Mar. 1901. The Oraibi Soyal Ceremony — Dorsey. 59 



carrying the pot with the rabbit. All the other men had in their right 

 hand one of the small trays with 7iiotaka.* They went slowly over to 

 the aforesaid house, ascended the steps of the first story and entered 

 the room on the second floor, where they were received by the Soyal- 

 mana (see PI. XXXV b) and a few of her immediate friends and rela- 

 tives, and where the rabbit was given to the Soyalmana, who feasts on 

 it afterwards with her friends who have assisted her in preparing the 

 comkviki and other presents thrown out by the men. 



The men then took off the kilt and sash and began to throw comi- 

 7i'iki\ squashes, and watermelons and other articles of food from the 

 roof of the first story among the spectators and neighboring houses. 

 (See Pis. XXXVl and XXXVII.) While they did this four girls kept 

 throwing water on them, with four old Havasupai trays, from the 

 tubs, until their paint had been thoroughly washed off, and one after 

 the other rushed over to the Ponovi kiva, where a good fire was burn- 

 ing. A ieast in which rabbit meat played a conspicuous part then 

 followed in the various kivas. 



* The men are required to practice the strictest continence, not only during the nine cere- 

 monial but also during these four post-festijal days. If any one fails to comply with this rule and 

 he is found out, one of his clan sisters prepares for him a dish of Sakiaawotaka (blue wotakd) made 

 of blue cornmeal, and seasoned with salt. The man is compelled to proclaim his own shame by 

 carrying the tray in the procession. 



