IJl PLBSCHE] Nl'-KI Wl'-GI-ES 271 



the leg parts of the robe, as also the full length of the back from the 

 head to the tail. Again yon shall say: My father-in-law has sanc- 

 tioned this act and has said that it shall not be without a purpose, 

 for in thus consecrating this robe I shall successfully bring to maturity 

 my little ones for whom it is made. 



The next act in order is: That if the animal brought home to your 

 house happens to be a mature male buffalo you shall dress the skin, 

 make it pleasing to look upon, and make it soft and pleasant to touch. 

 You shall say: My father-in-law has sanctioned the act I am about 

 to perform and has said that it shall not be without a purpose. You 

 shall then redden the sides of the robe, as also the full length of the 

 back, and shall say: This act is not without a purpose, for it is 

 sanctioned. My father-in-law has said that by performing this act 1 

 shall successfully bring my little ones to maturity. This act shall 

 not be without a purpose, for it is sanctioned. My father-in-law has 

 said that by thus consecrating this robe I shall make my little ones 

 to be difficult to overcome by death. 



The next act in order is: That if the animal brought home to your 

 house happens to be an immature female buffalo, and you think the 

 skin suitable for a covering for your little ones, then you shall dress 

 the skin, make it pleasing to look upon, make it soft and pleasant 

 to the touch. You shall redden only the leg parts of the robe. Then 

 you shall say: My father-in-law has sanctioned this act and has said 

 that it shall not be without a purpose; that by thus consecrating 

 this little robe I shall successfully bring to maturity my little ones; 

 that by this act I shall make my little ones to be difficult to overcome 

 by death. 



The fourth act is: That if the animal brought home to your house 

 happens to be an immature male buffalo, you shall take particular 

 pains in dressing the skin, make it pleasing to look upon, and make 

 it soft and pleasant to the touch; then you shall redden the leg parts 

 and the entire length of the back. When you have finished this, 

 you shall say: My father-in-law has sanctioned this act and has said 

 that it shall not be without a purpose; that by thus consecrating this 

 robe I shall successfully bring to maturity my little ones; and I shall 

 by this act make my little ones to be difficult to overcome by death. 



Hau ! This is all. 



By the observance of this supplicatory rite the young mother 

 appeals to the Power whence issues all forms of life to give to her little 

 ones the same thoughtful care that is bestowed upon the animals 

 that wander, shelterless, over the earth. The color put upon the 

 Uttle robe is the sacred color of the Tsi'-zhu Wa-no° people; it sym- 

 bolizes the fire that draws its strength from the sacred fire of heaven 

 (the sun), which sheds upon all earthly life its animating heat. 



