CHAFE] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 93 



we move about there still, where he estabhshed the earth. (214) 

 Indeed we make use of it as he planned, for he decided, "They will 

 move about on the earth." (215) And indeed we believe that she 

 has carried out the responsibility that he assigned her. (216) For 

 in fact he divided up all the responsibilities; her responsibility is to 

 look after us who move about on the earth. (217) And right up to 

 the present day we can claim to be satisfied; it continues unchanged. 

 (218) And now give it your thought, that we may do it properly: 

 we now give thanks for her, our mother, who supports our feet. (219) 

 And we say it here again. Give it your thought, that we may do it 

 properly: we ask that it will continue in the same manner for another 

 year. 



3. The Chiefs 



(220) And now we people have gathered. (221) This is what Our 

 Creator decided: (222) "They will simply continue to be grateful, 

 those who move about on the earth." (223) And he decided, "The 

 moiety partners who are called Chiefs will be present. (224) They 

 will be responsible for looking after the security of those who move 

 about on the earth. (225) And it will also be their responsibihty to 

 roll into one the minds of the people." (226) All that he gave them 

 was good.*^ (227) "They will continue to look after the happiness 

 of the people." That is what he did. (228) And it continues un- 

 changed up to the present. It continues unchanged. They are 

 standing there, the moiety partners who are caUed Chiefs. (229) 



♦* I.e. their ceremonial speeches contain only good. 



580135—61- 



