94 THE OSAGE TRIBE Ieth. aKn. 36 



their nourishment from within the water are regarded as a part of 

 that element. Although the No°'-ho''-zhi"-ga of this gons remain 

 silent throughout the ceremony, a fee is sent to its head, and the 

 members share in the distribution of the supplies furnished by the 

 candidate. This silent representation by a gens of its gentile symbol 

 explains the statement that each gens is a we'-ga-xe (we, that with 

 which; ga-xe, to make) — i. e., that part which is used to make a 

 whole; in this instance the universe is the whole. This gens takes a 

 more active part in some of the other tribal rites. 



The Wa-zha'-zhe (^ka Gens 

 (Osage version, p. 31T; literal translation, p. 479) 



1. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



2. The Wa-zha'-zhe, a people who possess seven fireplaces, 



3. Spake to the Wa-zha'-zhe ^ka (gens), 



4. Saying: O, grandfather, 



5. The little ones have nothing that is fit for their use as symbols. 



6. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in tliis house, 



7. The Wa-zha'-zhe (^k& replied, saymg: You say the little ones 



have nothing that is fit for their use as symbols. 



8. I am one who is fit for use as a symbol. 



9. Behold the tsiu'-ge (the mussel) that sitteth in the water (pi. 6) 



10. Verily, I am the person who has made of the tsiu'-ge his body. 



11. Wlien the little ones make of me their bodies, 



12. They shall always live to see old age. 



13. Behold the wrinkles upon my skin (shell), 



14. Which I have made to be the means of reaching old age. 



15. Wlien the little ones make of me their bodies, 



16. They shall always live to see the signs of old age upon their skins. 



17. The seven bends of the river (river of life) 



18. I always pass successfully, 



19. And in my travels the gods themselves . 



20. Have not the power to see the trail I make. 



21. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 



22. No one, not even the gods, shall be able to see the trails they 



make. 



23. Behold the god of day that sitteth in the heavens. 



24. Verily, I am a person who has made of that god his body. 



25. Behold, the god of day that sitteth in the heavens. 



26. The little ones also shall make of that god their bodies. 



27. Then the four great divisions of the days (stages of hfe) 



28. They shall always reach and enter, as they travel the path of life, 



29. And they shall always live to see old age as they travel the path 



of life. 



