LA FLESCHB] TRIBAL RITES — FREK TRANSLATION 95 



The Wa'-tse-tsi (Star People) Gens 

 (Osage version, p. 318; literal translation, p. 480) 



1. Verily. Jit 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 one of the Wa-zha'-zhe (gentes), 



4. The Wa'-tse-tsi (They who came from the stars). 



5. Saying: O, grandfather, 



6. We have nothing that is fit for use as a symbol. 



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



8. He replied, saying: You say you have nothing that is fit for 



use as a sjonbol. 



9. I am a person who is fit for use as a symbol. 



10. Behold, the female red cedar (pi. 7, a). 



11. Verily, I am a person who has made of that tree my^body. 



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



13. They shall always live to see old age. 



14. Behold, the male red cedar. 



15. The little ones shall always use the male red cedar as a symbol. 



16. Behold the male red cedar. 



17. Wlien the little ones use that tree for a symbol, 



18. They shall alwaj-s live to see old age. 



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



20. He said to them: Behold these waters, 



21. That we shall make to be companions to the red cedar. 



22. Wlien the little ones make use of these waters 



23. The means by which to reach old age, 



24. They shall always live to see old age. 



25. Behold the grass that never dies (the sedge). 



26. Wlien the little ones make of it the means to reach old age, 



27. They shall always live to see old age. 



28. I, myself, have made it to be the means to reach old age. 



29. Behold the bend of my shoulders (refers to the drooping of the 



sedge), 



30. That I have made to be the means to reach old age. 



31. Behold, the white blossoms on the top of my stalk, 



32. Which I have made to be the means to reach old age. 



33. The little ones shall reach old age 



34. And see their scanty locks turn yellowish with age as have these 



blossoms. 



The Ta' I-ni-ka-shi-ga (Deer People) Gens 



(Osage version, p. 319; literal translation, p. 481) 



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 a Wa-zha'-zhe (a gens of the Wa-zha'-zhe subdivision), 



