284 THE OSAGE TRIBE. [eth. ann.,39 



the A'-ki-ho" Xo'-ka are called Ki'-no" U-tha-ge, Telling of the 

 Symbolic Face Painting. Sho'''-ge-mo°-i° was able to recall frag- 

 ments only of two sections of these instructions because he had 

 forgotten most of the fixed form in which they are usually recited. 

 The sections given by Sho°'-ge-mo''-i'' are as follows: 



1. WA-THl'-XA Kl'-NO''; 



The first section is called Wa-tlii'-xa Ki'-no", Symbolic Painting 

 for the Raking, literally, Wa-tlii'-xa, Raking; Ki'-no", Painting. 

 The term Wa-thi'-xa, as used here, means the raking up of the dead 

 weeds and grasses from the cornfield in preparing for the work of 

 putting the groimd in readiness for planting. The ceremony bearing 

 this title is supplicatory. It is an appeal for supernatural aid for 

 success in the struggles of the woman to procure food for the mainte- 

 nance of those dependent upon her for support. By performing this 

 ceremony, the woman also asks for strength and health to do her 

 part toward the maintenance of the tribal life by natural increase. 



The A'-ki-ho° Xo'-ka says; 



"Before the rising of the smi, on the day you have appointed to 

 go to your field to prepare the ground for planting, you shall paint 

 red the parting of your hair, and while doing so j^ou shall repeat 

 these words; 'My grandfather tells me that this is the path of the 

 god of day, that if I also travel this path, said my grandfather, in 

 the course of my life I shall be difficult to be overcome by death.' 

 You shall repeat tliis ceremony for four successive days, and when 

 night comes be sure to remove the symbol you have put upon 

 yourself." 



2. WA-Zm"' THE-THE Kl'-NO''. 



The second section of the instructions given to the women relates 

 to war and is called Wa-zhi"' The-the Ki'-no", Symbol of the Sending 

 of the Wm, literally, Wa-zhi°', Will; The-the, Sending of; Ivi'-no°, 

 Painting. This ceremony of the sending of the will is to be performed 

 when the brothers of the woman have gone to war, in order to insure 

 to them that her courage shall be added to that of the warriors 

 when they battle with the enemy. This ceremony also is supplica- 

 tory. By its performance the woman invokes supernatural aid that 

 success may attend the warriors, as upon their courage and valor 

 depends the safety of the women and their little ones during their 

 journey upon life's pathway. 



The A'-ki-ho° Xo'-ka directs the women as follows: 



"Before the rising of the sun, following the day of the departure 



of the warriors, you shall paint red the parting of your hair. It is 



the path of the god of day. Wliile performing this act you shall 



repeat these words: 'My grandfather tells me that this is the path 



