Nov., 1903. Oraibi Summer Snake Ceremony — Voth. 345 



long, black eagle feather, used for the so-called "nawuhchingwu" 

 (absolving or discharming rite), at the conclusion of the ceremony. 

 (See PI. 196.) 



In the forenoon the bdhos and nakwdkwosis that were made by 

 the participants on the previous day and also the water in the mongwi- 

 kurus, were taken by them to their field, peach orchards, and water- 

 melon patches, where they disposed of the prayer offerings and poured 

 out the water, bringing the vessels back to the klva. The baho with 

 the long "road," I understand, is deposited by the chief priest on the 

 east side of the mesa, the four chochokpis from behind the long medi- 

 cine bowl in the sand ridge by Sihongwa in his fields. The rest of 

 the time is devoted to repairing or making new paraphernalia for the 

 dance costumes. To this is added in the afternoon the work of deco- 

 rating the bodies. These decorations are as follows: The bodies are 

 daubed black, but only a very thin coat being applied. The face, 

 hands, and feet are also daubed black, the chin being covered more 

 heavily than the other parts of the body. A white line is drawn from 

 ear to ear over the upper lip. The legs below the knee and the arms 

 below the elbow are also painted white. From the shoulder to the 

 waist, in front as well as behind, and also on the upper arms and 

 thighs, are drawn white zigzag lines, which are called lightning marks, 

 because they represent lightning. (See PI. 197.) 



The costume of the Antelopes consists of the usual dancing kilt 

 and sash, from the latter of which a foxskin is suspended behind; 

 furthermore a dark blue yarn bandoleer, moccasins, beads, and the 

 feather head-dress (tc6b-nakwa). (See PI. 199.) 



When the time for the ceremony has arrived, the chief priest takes 

 in his left hand the tfponi and meal bag, in his right hand the Ante- 

 lope rattle, the sprinkler, the medicine bowl, and aspergill (see PI. 198), 

 and all the others take their rattle only, whereupon they proceed to 

 the plaza and go through the same performance in front of the booth 

 as on the previous day. When they have made their four circuits and 

 lined up in front of the kfsi, the Snakes arrive, the chief priest carry- 

 ing the bow natsi. (See PI. 199.) They also go through the same 

 performance as on the previous day (see PI. 200) and then line up. 

 The Antelope priest again sprinkles two meal lines between the two 

 platoons, as on the previous day, whereupon the Snakes step on their 

 line and pause a few minutes. Then follows the humming, with side- 

 wise waiving of the snake whips (see PI. 201), followed by the louder 

 singing, accompanied by vigorous dancing, etc., in the same manner 

 as described in connection with the public performance of the previous 

 afternoon. (See PI. 202.) 



