86 



THE OSAGE TRIBE. 



[BTH. ANN. 3S 



from the left foot. He then slips on the second pair, beginning with 

 the right foot, and the Sho'-ka fastens them at the ankles. The 

 Sho'-ka then places the white plume in the right foot of the pair of 

 moccasins that had been slipped off by the Xo'-ka and leaves it in 

 that spot, where it remains tliroughout the rest of the ceremony. 



When the white symbolic plmue of the Xo'-ka has been exchanged 

 for the red one, and the first pair of moccasins for the second pair, 

 the Xo'-ka sings the first stanza of the Song of the Walking Upon the 

 Animal Skins, which is more like a call than a song. The title of 

 this song should not be taken literally, for the procession does not 

 walk upon the skins, but only passes by the symbolic articles which 

 are hung upon racks about the middle of the ground (Fig. 2). The 

 open space running from the east to the west on the ground arranged 

 for the ceremony symbolizes the earth, and the animal skins hung 

 upon racks along a part of tliis open space represent all living crea- 

 tures of the earth. The sim, in passing over the earth, touches with 

 its light all these creatures and gives them life. It is, therefore, the 

 sun which is represented by the Xo'-ka, who travels (figuratively) 

 upon or over the symbolic animal skins. 



The words of the song picture the Xo'-ka and his attendants as 

 approaching and entering the village and fijially the House of Mys- 

 tery, by a succession of pauses, at each of which the Xo'-ka sings a 

 stanza descriptive of some conspicuous object along the line of march 

 to the eastern end of the "House of Mystery." 



This song, the music of which is of the nature of a call, has twelve 

 stanzas. The same processional form is used, with some modifica- 

 tions, by a successful war leader as he trimnphantly marches with his 

 warriors into the village, and into the "House of Mystery." 



SONG. 



(Osage version, p. 392; literal translation, p. 533.) 



Transcribed hv A lire C.Fl etcher 



Call 



i 



^ 



r\ 



^ 



~rr~ 



Tsi u - ho" - ge d.si a-tsi-e tha, 



^^ 



Tsi u-bon-ge dsi a-tsi-e tha, Tsi u-hon-ge dsi a-tsi-e tha. 



FREE TRANSLATION. 

 1. 



To the borders of the village I have come. 



2. 

 To the footworn grounds of the village I have come. 



s. 



