June, 1902. The Mishongnovi Ceremonies — Dorsey. 197 



by his side he smoked for a few minutes and again picked up the tray 

 and consecrated the bahos as before. The majority of the priests 

 present who had been sitting in the circle now began to move about, 

 searching for paint bags and making preparations for their departure. 

 They painted their faces as usual, together with the breasts, and the 

 hair of those who had not already done so was carefully shaken out 

 and combed. Food was now brought into the kiva and was made up 

 into bundles that it might be more easily transported, to the fields. 

 Lomanakshu then prayed, being answered by all present, ^'■Anchaa" 

 smoked for some time, then arose and made careful examination of 

 the bags, a perfect one of which was handed to each priest, where- 

 upon they filed out of the kiva, seized their digging sticks and rabbit 

 sticks (see Plate LXXXIX) and descended by the east trail into the 

 plain lying between Mishongnovi and Walpi. As they left the kiva 

 it lacked but a few minutes of twelve o'clock. This was the fourth 

 and final ceremonial day's hunt and consequently was to the east. 



On entering the Antelope kiva immediately after the departure 

 of the Snake men, Sikanakpu was found smoking over the mong- 

 wikurus which remained in the same position as when seen early this 

 morning. Of the other three men in the kiva at this time Poli- 

 hungwa was seated on the west side of the main floor of the kiva con- 

 tinuing the manufacture of prayer-offerings. He had already brought 

 in his stone paint grinders, two in number, and an eagle and a duck 

 skin. He made sixteen nakwakwosis, each one containing an eagle 

 and duck feather. These he did not stain red, but when finished 

 he placed them on the tray containing sacred meal. He then began 

 making bahos. The other members now began to make preparation 

 for the erection of the altar and the sand mosaic. Namurztiwa now 

 left the kiva, having been sent by Sikanakpu*, and soon returned 

 with two bags of valley sand which he had obtained from a pissat- 

 chmo (sand hill) north of the village. During the absence of 

 Namurztiwa, Sikangpu began sweeping the kiva, first slightly 

 sprinkling it by spurting water over the floor from his mouth. Soon 

 Namurztiwa returned with two blankets full of sand which he deposited 

 on the floor of the kiva to the rear of, and on the east side of, the fire- 

 place. One of the boys (three having recently entered the kiva) was 

 sent out of the kiva and soon returned with three different sized sift- 

 ers or loosely woven basket trays of yucca fibre. Sikanakpu then 

 placed the mongkohos and tiponis near the end banquette of the kiva 



*It is interesting to note tiiat Sikanakpu formed an exception to the other priests in the 

 kiva on this day, for instead of tiie usual scant loin cloth he wore the ceremonial blue kilt 

 Ksakwapitkund). 



