Jink, 1902. The Mishongnovi Ceremonies — Dorsey. 253 



before their owners washed off the paint. It was noticed that at this 

 time the snake whips, snake sacks, lightning frames, bull roarers, 

 snake jugs, etc. , were still lying on the kiva floor. 



While the men were still engaged in vomiting, the women began 

 to bring food to the kiva, which was taken into the kiva by the men 

 already through with the purification ceremony, and placed on the 

 floor on the elevated portion of the kiva. As the Snake men had 

 fasted all day the evening meal was looked forward to with a great 

 deal of interest. 



After the emetic had taken effect and all the priests had entered 

 the kiva, they for the most part resumed the ceremonial circle about 

 the hearth and engaged in fraternal smoking. Nakwayeshwa now 

 brought in a girl baby and placed his lips to its head. He then sat 

 down, whereupon Lomanakshu took a pinch of meal and sprinkled 

 the snake whips. Then Lomanakshu went over to Nakwayeshwa, 

 holding the child, and prayed a long prayer. He then spat some 

 hohoyaonga which he had been chewing into his hands and rubbed 

 them over the child's body. He did this four times. He then passed 

 his mouth over all parts of the child's body with a loud smacking 

 noise, and then expectorated in a vigorous manner into a jar. 



Another child had in the rheantime been brought in and 

 Lomanakshu's brother went through a similar performance over it. 

 In taking the meal for the passage over this child's body it was 

 noticed that he first put watermelon seeds in his mouth, then dipped 

 them in meal, and then placed them in his mouth. Still other 

 children were brought in, until finally there were as many as ten. 

 Other priests joined in this performance, all at the beginning passing 

 their mouths over the children, beginning with the feet and working 

 towards the head. All then arranged themselves in a circle about 

 the hearth with Lomanakshu in the center, when they began to 

 intone a low song. Nakwayeshwa then took up a snake whip and 

 beginning on the west side of the ladder passed around toward 

 the east, walking behind the priests and shaking over the head of 

 each one the snake whip, describing as he did so a circle. As this 

 performance is taking place behind him each individual takes a 

 piece of black charcoal of sheep's dung, which has in the meantime 

 been passed around the circle, moistens it by holding it in front of 

 his mouth and with a motion of the lips and tongue placing saliva on 

 it. Then with, it in his right hand he describes an irregular motion 

 in front of his face and casts it up the kiva hatchway. As Nakwa- 

 yeshwa reached the eastern side of the circle he rubbed his hands on 

 the ladder. He then retraced his steps to the west, thus describing 



