Dec, 1903. The Oraibi Oaqol Ceremony — Voth. 21 



This song, as so many in Hopi ceremonies, has found its way to 

 the Hopi from the Pueblos in New Mexico. Some of these songs are 

 not understood at all, some, like this one, only partly. 



After thus consecrating the water brought in by Ng6si, Masatoi- 

 niwa discharms her in the same way as on the first day, whereupon 

 she disrobes and assists in the preparations for the approaching 

 ceremony. 



During her absence, Masatoiniwa has sprinkled fresh sand on the 

 floor and removed the cloud picture in front of the altar. His wife, 

 who belongs to the Agave clan, which is one of the clans ' that owns 

 the fire, and Homikini make each a nakwakwosi and place the same as 

 on the first day. The members of the Agave clan also often place a 

 little food near the fireplace before eating. 



New participants have in the meanwhile been coming in, each one 

 bringing her corn-ear "mother" and some sacred meal which she 

 sprinkles on the altar. When Masatoiniwa has completed the cloud 

 symbol picture Ng6si puts the medicine bowl, cloud symbols, birds, 

 etc., in their proper places and puts the last finishing touches to the 

 altar in general. 



Some of the women continue to make baskets until the ceremony 

 is about to begin. Others form little groups here and there around a 

 watermelon, piki tray, and food bowl, and enjoy a luncheon. Little 

 kelehoyas (novices) are still passed through the mohongola, in the 

 manner already described. 



At about half-past three o'clock all arrange themselves around the 

 altar, Ng6si sprinkles meal and Masatoiniwa corn-pollen from the 

 tiponi to the ladder, as on the evening of the first day, and then fol- 

 lows exactly the same singing ceremony with the attendant perform- 

 ances during the different songs as on the first day. 



When the ceremony is over, most of the participants leave the 

 kiva. As a rule, the girls go out first. Some return sooner, others 

 later. Those who are in the kiva generally spend the time, until the 

 evening meal is brought in, practicing the songs and the peculiar 

 accompanying gestures of the hands for the public performance on 

 the last day. For the evening meal all assemble in the kiva. Every 

 one brings her share of food, places it on the floor, all seat themselves 

 around the common board and eat the victuals, that have be*en brought 

 together, in common. They consist of piki (a thin wafer bread, baked 

 in large sheets, but folded together), peaches, watermelons, stewed 



• In the new year ceremony, which is controlled by the Agave clan, and which takes place in 

 the Agave ki'va, new fire is made with sticks and dry cedar bark early in the morning. The same is 

 done in certain ceremonies of the Horn Society. 



