June, 1902. The M[shongnovi Ceremonies— Dorsey. 213 



the west of the middle of the mosaic, standing against the banquette. In 

 the meantime Polihungvva had led the mcna to the rear of the kiva by the 

 east side, where he handed her the haini containing corn stalks, beans,, 

 melon vines, etc., which she clasped in front of her with both hands, 

 and took a place by the side of and to the east of Choshnimtiwa. 

 The eight Antelope priests present, together with Lomanakshu, Chief 

 Snake priest, now assumed a sitting posture on the lower side of the 

 sand mosaic in the form of a semicircle, the priests at each end facing 

 each other across the mosaic. In addition, old blind Qomahoiniwa 

 took up a position on the main floor of the kiva behind the fireplace, 

 near the ladder, on the west side. The relative position of the priests, 

 together with the position of the Snake youth and Antelope maid, 

 may be seen in PI. XCVII). For a few moments there was no sound 

 heard in the kiva, when, without warning, Polihungwa began in a 

 low voice and in a rapid manner a prayer, a free rendering of which 

 is somewhat as follows: 



Pai ita hahlaikahkango, shukaokahkango yep pawasionayani. 

 Pai ima nananiiwok oomawhtui itamui okwatotvee, yang tiichkwa- 

 wakae itanatwanya ang balaiya angnankwushani. Puu itch uyi ang- 

 pociivaqoo, itahtim angnonoshani, puu ooyagae itam tuwat angnono- 

 wani; puu itam angooyyaqoe. Puu pam pankango angnatiTkvcinani, 

 puu itam put ang chowalayani; puu itahki aooyani. Put ita ahpi ang- 

 nonowaicahkang ahpi yeshni. Owi ita hahlaikahkango, ookaokah- 

 kango pas^ionayani. 



[Now we joyfully and encouraged are going to perform a cere- 

 mony here. May these clouds from the four world quarters have pity 

 on us I May the rain-water meander through our fields and our crops! 

 And then the corn, quickly having seeds, our children will eat; and 

 they being satisfied we shall also eat and be satisfied. (This refers, 

 it seems, to the eating of the corn ears, and especially roasting ears, 

 in the fields, to which time the people generally anxiously look for- 

 ward. ) And then after that it shall mature and we shall gather it in 

 and put it up in our houses, and after that we shall eat and live on it. 

 Therefore we are happy, and being strong shall perform this cer- 

 emony.] 



At its conclusion all answered '■'■Anchaa!'" Sikanakpu now rises 

 at the southeast corner of the mosaic and taking meal from the tray 

 sprinkles slightly over the mosaic. Each priest then takes up some 

 object in his right hand with which to beat time to the singing; 

 Lomanakshu used the snake whip which he had brought with him, 

 Polihungwa and one Or two others an eagle feather, while the remain- 

 ing priests had each one of the uprights which had been removed from 



