June, 1902. The Mishongnovi Cekkmonies — Dorsey. 189 



equal to the combined height of the three terraces. The base of the 

 rock is somewhat pointed so that toWards its middle it slightly over- 

 hangs the water of the spring. The first, second and third terraces 

 are interrupted at this point and to cross around the spring on the 

 first and second terraces is not possible, while on the third terrace 

 access from one side to the other may be had by stepping, when the 

 spring is low, on a rock which just reaches the surface of the water. 



With the priests standing in a single line, Lomanakshu and 

 Lomakuiwa started on alone, descending by the path until the second 

 terrace had been reached. Having entered from the west side, it was 

 necessary for them to make a dextral circuit, which is contrary to the 

 usual ceremonial circuit of the Hopi. They advanced in a stooping 

 posture, Lomanakshu shaking his snake whip in front of him with the 

 old man following close behind. On reaching the water's edge just 

 to the east on the north side of the rock, Lomanakshu stepped over 

 to the west side of the rock while Lomakuiwa halted on the east side. 

 Lomanakshu continued shaking his snake whip, but now over the 

 water, while Lomakuiwa stooped and sprinkled meal in the water and 

 with his hand tossed the water in the four directions, praying all the 

 while in a low voice. Then he stood erect and handed over this arm of 

 the spring a pinch of meal to Lomanakshu, who stooped and dropped 

 the meal in the water and flipped the water in the four directions, 

 uttering a silent prayer all the time. In the meantime the remaining 

 priests had filed in single line down on to the lower terrace and on 

 the nofthwest side of the large rock, the head line now being next 

 Lomanakshu.* Lomakuiwa now crossed over and gave to each one 

 a pinch of the meal, whereupon each went through the performance 

 just described. All now drank from the spring by a peculiar motion, 

 which seems to be universally known in the southwest, by throwing 

 water into the mouth by means of a rapid motion of the hand. 

 Lomanakshu now passed to the head of the line on the lower terrace 

 and leading the way they gained the summit at the spring, where they 

 immediately set out towards the rough and broken coimtry lying 

 between Mishongnovi and Shongopavi and shut in by the mesa at the 

 near north. They had not proceeded more than a hundred yards 

 when they began their hunt, each individual, as a rule, striking out 

 alone. The hunt was continued until seven o'clock in the afternoon, 

 as has already been described for the previous day, but with rather 



•Considerable interest attaches Itself to this ceremony in view of the fact that during the 

 afternoon information was volunteered by one of the Snake priests that this spring, as are all 

 springs, is the liome of a BallAJfkkong. the sreat |)lumed serpent, and that prayers were especiallv 

 addressed to him that the hunters might he successful, that the snakes ini/lit not see them and 

 consequently that the snakes would not hite them. 



