LA FLESCHE] TRIBAL RITES FREE TRANSLATION 81 



throughout the wi'-gi-e: First, he colors his face with red paint, the 

 symbol of the dawn that promises a peaceful day. Second, he black- 

 ens his face with charcoal, that color being the emblem of an unquench- 

 able fire and a never-ending life. It represents the bear and also the 

 feet and beak of the swan, as both these animals gave the symbol. 

 Third, he suspends at his throat a gorget made of the shell of the 

 fresh-water mussel as a symbol of the god of day, who possesses never- 

 ending life. The gorget also represents the white spot on the chest 

 of the black bear who gave the symbol. Fourth, he plucks from the 

 swan skin some of the down and scatters it upon his head as a symbol 

 of his priestly office. He strips the barbs from some of the wing- 

 feathers of the swan, ties the lower ends together, and fastens the 

 tuft to the base of the braided lock of hair which hangs from the 

 crown of his head. This tuft of feathers symbolizes the days of cloud- 

 less skies, the daj^s of perpetual peace. 



TSI TA-PE, PROCESSIONAL APPROACH TO THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY 



When about to rise, the Xo'-ka says to the candidate and to the 

 Sho'-ka: 



Ha! w-i-fo^-ga e', 



A-no^'-zhi" ta a-to" he a', wi-go^-ga e'! 



Wa-fa'-be u-fa'-ka thi^-ge kshe, 



E'-ki-go" xtsi a-nC'-zhi" ta a-to" he a, wi-co^-ga e'! 



Zhi''-ga' zho-i-ga tha bi do", 



U'-no" a bi i'-the ki-the mC-thi"' ta ba do". 



A-no°'-zhi'' ta a-to" he a', wi-50°-ga e'l 



FREE TRANSLATION 



O, my younger brothers, 



I am about to rise, my younger brothers! 



As the Black Bear that has no blemish, 



Verily, as his likeness I shall rise, O, younger brothers! 



So that when the little ones make of him their bodies, 



They shall always live to see old age as they travel the path of life. 



I am about to rise, my younger brothers! 



The Xo'-ka rises and, followed by the candidate and the Sho'-ka, 

 goes out of the door of his house, where he pauses for a moment; 

 then starting from the right side of the door he takes seven steps 

 forward. He then returns to the house and from the left side of the 

 door he takes six steps forward. These 13 steps represent the seven 

 and six o-do"' (military honors) to be won by the warriors. 



When the 13 steps have been taken, the Xo'-ka sings the following 

 song, while the candidate and the Sho'-ka take their places at his 

 right side. 



2786—21 6 



