mi ioni i ; 



SACRED REGARD FOR CED^.R 079 



Translation 



The cedar tree, the cedar tree, 



We have it in the center. 



We have it in the center 



When we dance, 



When ive dance. 



We have it in the center, 



We have it in the center. 



The Kiowa, the Sioux, and perhaps some other tribes performed the 

 Ghost dance around a tree set up in the center of the circle. With 

 the Kiowa this tree was a cedar, and such was probably the case with 

 the other tribes, whenever a cedar could be obtained, as it is always a 

 sacred tree iu Indian belief and ceremonial. The southern Arapaho 

 and Cheyenne never had a tree in connection with the Ghost dauce, so 

 that this sons could not have originated among them. The cedar is 

 held sacred for its evergreen foliage, its fragrant smell, its red heart 

 wood, and the durable character of its timber. On account of its fine 

 main and enduring qualities the prairie tribes make their tipi poles 

 of its wood, which will not warp through heat or moisture. Their 

 flageolets or flutes are also made of cedar, and in the mescal and other 

 ceremonies its dried and crumbled foliage is thrown upon the fire as 

 incense. In Cherokee and Yuchi myth the red color of the wood comes 

 from the blood of a wizard who was killed and decapitated by a hero, 

 and whose head was hung in the top of several trees in succession, but 

 continued to live until, by the advice of a medicine-man, the people 

 hung it in the topmost branches of a cedar tree, where it finally died. 

 The blood of the severed head trickled down the trunk of the tree and 

 thus the wood was stained. 



32. W.\ \VA XI' NAXL XAKI TI 



Na'nisana, na'nisa'na, 



Wa n mi nann naku ti waku'hu, 



W'a 'wa nil nann'nakn ti wakn hit. 



Hi vu na'nii'bu -i, 



Hi'yu na'nii'ba'-i. 



II. i t.i-i naku ni hathi na nisu nahu, 



Hi t;i-i nakn ni hathi'na nisu'nahu. 



Translation 



My children, my children, 

 Now I am waving an eagle feather. 

 Now I am waving an eagle feather. 

 Here is a spotted feather for yon, 

 Here is a spotted feather for yon. 

 Yon may have it, said my father. 

 Yon may have it. said my father. 



While singing this song the author of it waved in his right hand 

 an eagle feather prepared for wearing in the hair, while he carried a 



