June, 1902. The Mishongnovi Ceremonies — Dorsey. 183 



hole. This being found empty was abandoned. It is worthy of note 

 in this connection that the arm was repeatedly thrust into the hole, 

 there being absolutely no fear shown as to any possible evil conse- 

 quences. 



During the time of the departure of the Snake men until their 

 return that evening the Snake kiva was abandoned except for old 

 Homiwushyoma, who, being blind, naturally could not take part in 

 the ceremonial hunts. Throughout the day the Antelope kiva also 

 was abandoned except for the presence at noon of Polihungwa and 

 Shakventiwa and the three boys, who again brought food into the kiva 

 and there ate their noonday meal. 



At about half-past seven o'clock the three Snake men returned to 

 the kiva, dropping their digging sticks on the hatchway just before 

 descending the ladder. Two of the hunters had been successful and 

 deposited the bags containing their snakes side by side to the east of 

 the pile of snake whips. The three men then seated themselves near 

 the fireplace, removed their moccasins and shook out the sand and 

 Lomanakshu lighted the cedar bark fuse and filled two pipes with 

 native tobacco, which he next lighted and passed one to his fellow 

 priest, both smoking silently for several minutes and constantly 

 exchanging the pipes, greeting each other as they did so with terms 

 of relationship. Choshnimtiwa, being a mere boy of about thirteen 

 years of age, did not at this or any other time indulge in the smoking. 

 While the two priests were smoking Qotchbuyaoma entered the kiva, 

 apparently for the first time during the ceremony, bringing with him 

 a bowl of comiwiki and a gourd of water. Removing his moccasins 

 he sat down on the west of the fireplace facing old Homiwushyoma 

 with the two adult priests who engaged in the hunt, between the fire- 

 place and the snake whips, the four men thus forming a semicircle. 

 Immediately after his entrance in the circle he was handed a pipe by 

 Lomanakshu and smoked it. Presently another member entered, 

 bringing in a large rattlesnake in the sleeve of an old shirt, which he 

 had tied at both ends. This was deposited by the side of the two 

 snake bags containing snakes, whereupon he removed his moccasins 

 and joined the circle of silent smokers. 



Contrary to the usual custom, the snakes were not transferred 

 this night from the bags to the snake jars, and as a matter of fact the 

 snake jars had not yet been brought into the kiva.* Beyond the 

 smoking indulged in by the Snake men during the evening and a visit 

 which Lomanakshu later paid to the Antelope kiva, where he smoked 



♦When asked the reason, later on, Lomanaksliu said that they had gotten home ratlier late 

 that evening, and as there had been no special need of tiie vessels that night he had not sent for 

 them. 



