June, 1902. The Mishongnovi Ceremoniks— Dorsey. 221 



on the previous morning and then proceeded to place upon her the 

 ceremonial robe, etc., as has already been described. It was noticed 

 this morning that he fastened in her hair, which hung loosely down 

 her back, a bunch of white eagle breath feathers, and that around her 

 right wrist he tied a skein of blue yarn. In addition a nakwakwosi 

 was fastened to her hair, which was hanging down, on the left side of 

 her head. Polihungwa now handed the jar with the baini to the mana 

 and the tiponi from the northwest corner of the mosaic to the youth, 

 to whom also Lomanakshu handed a snake which he took from 

 the bag. 



The priests now began taking their places around the mosaic, 

 Lomanakshu, as on the previous morning, taking his place first in the 

 circle near the center of the west side of the mosaic, with Polihungwa 

 in the center of the south side of the mosaic. All seated, Polihungwa 

 uttered a prayer and the asperger asperged upon the mosaic. All then 

 took up some object in their hand for beating time, as has been 

 described, Lomanakshu taking his snake whip and the other members 

 taking a crook from about the altar or an eagle tail feather. 



First Song. This began, as on the previous morning, in a low, 

 deliberate chant, the priests beating time with their wands or crooks, 

 all being seated on blankets gathered under them and with their knees 

 drawn up to the chin, and naked except for the loin cloth and with 

 the hair loosely hanging down the back. Old blind Qomahoiniwa, 

 who up to this time had been asleep on the west side of the platform, 

 now moved down off from the platform and, taking a position near 

 the hearth, joined in a low voice in the singing. 



Second Song. During this song Sikanakpu asperged from the 

 medicine bowl upon the sand mosaic .four times without leaving his 

 place. 



Third Song. Again Sikanakpu asperged the sand picture from 

 the four directions, adding one for the above, and one for the below. 



Fourth Song. Rising now, Sikanakpu asperged twice toward the 

 mosaic and once toward the east, making from three to five passes 

 each time. 



Fifth Song. Sikanakpu continued asperging the sand picture and 

 sat down. The time of this song differed greatly from that of the 

 one preceding, it being much slower and somewhat of the nature of a 

 chant to the clouds. Polihungwa, now turning partly around, 

 removed the cloud blower from the bag, while Shakhungwa took up 

 an ordinary pipe, filled it and began smoking. 



Sixth Song. The fire having been lighted by Naphoiniwa, Poli- 

 hungwa took up a live coal with his fingers and with it lighted the 



