11 



The Divisions of the Year 



It is asserted by the women at Bayou Lacomb that the Choctaw 

 year was divided into twelve moons ; but it is highly probable that 

 thirteen — not twelve — is correct. The native method of reckoning the 

 divisions of the year is no longer practised, nor do the present Choc- 

 taw remember the names of all the moons; they assert, however, 

 that the year begins in December instead of the first of January. 

 The only names they can recall are: 



December Una' fa Tiashe, Cold moon. 



February Hashe Icapo'sha, Moon of snow. 



March HasJi'inaliale, Moon of wind. 



April Tans Tiashe, Corn [planting] moon. 



July Hash' luwalc, Moon of fire. 



The year is divided into two seasons, wliich in turn are subdivided, 

 making four seasons in all: 



Spring Tofa ape. 



Summer Tofa laspa. 



Autumn JJnafa ape. 



Winter Vnafa Icapese. 



Beliefs concerning Eclipses 



Eclipse of the sun, ashe oMelega ("sun dark or dirty"). The 

 Choctaw say that since the sun works every day he becomes dirty 

 and smoked from the great fire within. It is necessary therefore for 

 him to rest and clean himself, after doing wliich he shines the brighter. 

 During the eclipse he is removing the accumulated dirt. 



