Nov., 1903. Oraibi Summer Snake Ceremony — Voth. 305 



Snake priest, and at no time have I seen a tiponi in the Snake kiva.' 

 When the altar was completed, some of the men sat down to eat and 

 then smoked. It should be remarked that from this day to the even- 

 ing meal of the eighth day the Antelope priests eat no food that 

 contains any fat or salt. 



A few incidents should be mentioned at this juncture that hap- 

 pened while the altar was being constructed and the sand mosaic 

 made: At about noon, Sihongwa took some sacred meal and some 

 nakwakwosis to a spring about two miles east of the village. He also 

 took with him a bowl, but it is supposed that he took that to his house. 

 Sihongwa's father, who did not participate in the ceremony this time, 

 brought to the Antelope kiva a bunch of green corn-stalks, squash, 

 muskmelon and watermelon vines, beans, etc., all with the leaves and 

 roots on them. All these, with the four chochokpis made by Sihongwa 

 in the morning, were put into an ancient pot (see PI. 162), which was 

 then placed on the north-east corner of the altar. This pot is called 

 bdtni, a name which is also used for Well, cistern, etc. 



At about the time when the altar was completed, old Mokahtiwa, 

 who was to act as the companion of the Antelope maid in the approach- 

 ing ceremonies, made his appearance in the Antelope kiva. After he 

 had partaken of some food and smoked with the others he sat down near 

 the fireplace and made nine cigarettes of corn-husk leaves and native 

 tobacco. These he placed on the floor north of the fireplace for use 

 later on. Tobengotiwa made some nakwas for use by new-comers. 

 Sihongwa, who in the mean while had returned from his errand to the 

 spring, mentioned before, was sent with a message to the Snake kiva 

 and also to fetch a young maiden who was to act as Antelope maid in 

 the coming ceremonies. He was followed by an elderly man, Yukioma, 

 and one of the leaders of this faction, who was to be initiated into the 

 Antelope order. As soon as he had entered the kiva, Mokdhtiwa tied 

 one of the nakwas that Tobengotiwa had made into his hair, handed 

 him a white corn-ear, and assigned him a seat on a blanket which had 

 been placed on the floor east of the altar. Lomdyeshtiwa went and 

 got a small girl, tied a white ndkwa into her hair, gave her a white 

 corn-ear, and assigned her a seat by the side of Yukioma. Both were 

 candidates for initiation. Upon entering the kiva, both had first of 

 all stepped to the altar, held their right hand, which contained a little 

 sacred corn-meal, to their lips, uttered a silent prayer, and then 

 sprinkled the meal to the altar. 



' All informants from all mesas agree in the statement that the Snake chief in VV&Ipi is the 

 only one who has a tfponi. 



