NO^'-ZHP-ZHO" WA-THO^ SONGS OF THE RITE OF 



VIGIL. 



THE SEVEN SONGS. 



The title of this ritual, No"'-zhi"-zho" Wa-tho", freely translated 

 into English, is Songs of the Rite of Vigil. The word no^'-zhi'^-zho" 

 may be analyzed as follows: No"-zhi°, to stand; zho", to sleep. 

 This composite word, no"'-zhi"-zho'', is midei'stood as referring to 

 the rule which requires the man chosen to act as a mecUator between 

 Wa-ko"'-da and the tribe to stand or to sit in an upright position 

 while performing this sacred duty. The man is strictly enjoined to 

 be wakeful and watcliiul while he is actually ofl'ering his supplica- 

 tions to Wa-ko°'-da, lest by inadvertence he might lose the sign of 

 approval that may be given him by that Divine^ Power. Wa-tlio" 

 means songs. 



The people of the Omaha, a cognate tribe, use the same title, 

 No"'-zhi"-zh()", for the Rite of Vigil as observed by tliem. The cry 

 that is taught the child, and that is also used by a grown i)erson 

 when addressing Wa-ko°'-da, is put in musical form and is called 

 Wa-ko"'-da Gi-ko", The Cry to Wa-lvo"'-da. (See 27th Ann. Rept. 

 B. A. E., pp. 128-129.) 



The No"'-zhi"-zho" Wa-tho" is counted as second in the sacred 

 order of the seven tribal war rites as observed by the I"-gtho"'-ga or 

 Puma gens of the Ho"'-ga subdivision; and the people of the Tho'-xe 

 gens of the Tsi'-zhu great tribal division place this degree as the 

 fourth in the order followed by them. (.See 36th Ann. Rept. B. A. E., 

 pp. 152-153.) 



The No"'-zhi"-zlio" is a supplicatory rite which was observed by 

 the Osage in the following manner: 



First: Collectively, as when all the people cried to Wa-ko"'-da at 

 dawn, at midday, and at sunset. (See 36th Ann. Rept. B. A. E., 

 pp. 49-50.) 



Second : As when the tribe determines upon going to war a man is 

 chosen to perform the rite for the people as the introductory part of 

 the ceremonies that attend the organization of a war party. The 

 rite is continued by the man thus chosen, not only during the cere- 

 monies, but throughout the entire expedition, both when going and 

 returning. 



Third: Individually, as when a man, having lost by death his wife, 

 son, daughter, brother, or sister, takes the rite for a period of four 



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