Nov., 1903. Oraibi Summer Snake Ceremony — Voth. 327 



pinches of sacred meal, pours the water from the mongwikuru, and 

 then puts in, in an upright position, the long chochokpi with the wheel 

 and cylinder, after which he fills up the hole, leaving the upper end of 

 the chochokpi protruding slightly. The green baho he thrusts into 

 the ground close by. These offerings are considered a special blessing 

 to the field and augur a good crop not only at the approaching 

 harvest, but also in coming years. The empty gourd vessel he returns 

 to the kfva. 



We next direct our attention to the two warriors whom we noticed 

 among the first to arrive on top of the mesa. Arriving at the Ante- 

 lope kiva they go around the kfva four times, twirling the buUroarers 

 and then enter the kfva. (See PI. 176.) In the kfva they go through 

 the following performance, first the one and then the other: Standing 

 east of the fireplace they shoot the lightning frame towards the hatch- 

 way four times, and then twirl the bullroarer an equal number of 

 times, whereupon they seat themselves on previously arranged seats,' 

 one east, the other west of the ladder, close to the klva wall on the 

 elevated portion of the kfva, guarding, as it were, the entrance. Upon 

 their being seated' each one is handed a cigarette by Tobengotiwa, 

 which he smokes in silence, and then remains on that seat throughout 

 the ceremony. 



While these performances are going on the singing ceremony has 

 been in progress. It has already been stated that everything was 

 placed in readiness while the racers were on their way out, even to the 

 taking out of the crooks and the handing of the tfponi, snake, and 

 batfti to the Antelope youth and maid, and that upon the arrival at 

 the kfva of the signal from the valley that the race had started, the 

 first song is intoned and the progress of the ceremony is not inter- 

 rupted even by the consecration of the race-winner's objects, the 

 arrival of participants in the race, etc. Every racer, as soon as he 

 enters the kfva, first sprinkles a pinch of meal to the altar, and then 

 assumes his usual seat. 



The Snake priests are on this morning arrayed in their usual cos- 

 tume and decoration, with perhaps a heavier coat of ciita on their 

 faces. More netted gourd vessels are brought into the Antelope kiva 

 this morning; on one occasion I noticed eight standing in a row on 

 the east side of the altar, but more were brought in during the day. 

 Their use will be explained in connection with the public performances 

 in the afternoon. 



' The seats consisted of a heavy stone used to fasten weaving looms to. of which a number 

 may usually be found in every kiva, and some pelts and blankets spread on them. This is, as far as I 

 can remember, the only instance where these stones were specially used for seats in a ceremony 

 blankets and pehs only being generally used. ' 



