June, igo2. Thk Mishongnovi Ckremoxies — Dorsev. 195 



Fifth Day (Nai.oshi'ai.a, Fourth Day), August 17. 



On approaching the kivas early on this morning the natsis were 

 found in their usual position, but within the kivas there were indica- 

 tions that the time for more important events of the great ceremony 

 were at hand. This was especially noticed in the large number of 

 men present in both kivas, and as a matter of fact all of the men have 

 slept in or on their respective kivas, and the Snakes are here this 

 morning for the fourth and final ceremonial snake hunt ; and while 

 hitherto only one or two of the Antelope priests had been present at 

 intervals during each day, yet the majority of the Antelope priests 

 were either in the kiva early on this morning or put in their appear- 

 ance some time during the day. On entering the Snake kiva later in 

 the morning, about eight o'clock, fifteen priests were present arranged 

 in a semicircle around the fireplace. They had disrobed and loos- 

 ened their hair and were engaged in smoking. The remains of the 

 morning meal had been removed from the kiva. 



In the Antelope kiva, Polihungwa and Sikangpu were found at 

 this time eating breakfast with three or four boys. Polihungwa imme- 

 diately after breakfast began making nakwakwosis. He made eight 

 of the ordinary nakwakwosis with the eagle breath feather, four of 

 which he colored red with cuta, and one puhii (road marker). This 

 consisted of a cotton string about twenty inches in length ter- 

 minating in an eagle breath and a chat feather. It was also noticed 

 that by the side of the two tiponis lay four mong7vikurus, or priests' 

 jugs. These had been brought in early this morning by Shakhungwa, 

 Qomaletstiwa, Sikanakpu and Shihkniwa. 



As the Snake men continued the fraternal smoking their number 

 was added to from time to time until the entire fraternity, twenty in 

 number, were present. As each newcomer entered, food was brought 

 for him, of which he partook, Avhereupon he removed his clothing, 

 loosened his hair and joined the circle of smokers. Lomanakshu, 

 assisted by his brother Nakwayeshwa, now began making nakwakwo- 

 sis to be distributed to the additional priests present on this morning 

 for the first time. As each of the priests received his nakwakwosi he 

 tied it to a lock of his hair.* One of the priests, however, happened 

 to be a boy not more than eight years of age whose hair had been 

 closely cropped by the government school teacher. On this account, 

 and the fact that he was entirely naked, arose an amusing incident as 

 to where he should tie his nakwakwosi. One of the priests suggested 



*In every ceremony the participants tie a feather to their hair, the time when this is done 

 differing in tiie different ceremonies. This feather is called nakwdita, from ttdwakna, want, wish, 

 and aoitaivakuii, to pray. Lomanakshu called this nakwaita omawu-na-kivaita (cloud prayer). 



