MICHELSON.] THE WAY MESKWAKIES DO WHEN THEY DIE. 421 
your son Aiyapa'ti“*. Do not be afraid (to talk) to him. That is 
what I say to you when speaking this day to you for the last time, 
my relative. Bear firmly in mind what I tell you. That is all,’ the 
speaker says. 
Then those closely related to her are the first to throw away Indian 
tobacco for her. After those closely related to her had thrown away 
tobacco for her, then any one threw away tobacco for her. What- 
ever relative is able to speak says to the Indians, “Speak to her.” 
Then some speak to her. And this is what they say to her: ‘‘ Now my 
sister,’ I send this tobacco by you. This is what you are to tell to 
him who is going to be your son. You will say to him, ‘You are 
to bless this one who sends (tobacco) by me with old age,’ you will 
say that to him.” 
That is what they said to a woman. 
And some said this, ‘“‘Now my sister,’ as you walk away this day, 
going to your son’s, this is what I desire. That I live comfortably 
with (my fellow mortals), reaching an old age, bless me so. So you 
shall say to your son Aiyapa'‘tii** when you come unto him, my 
sister’.’’ That is what some said to her. 
There are two ways of addressing a dead woman. 
And this is what the people do when they bury the dead. When 
one dies, the one who is to serve as a ceremonial attendant for him is 
told. The one serving as a ceremonial attendant cries it out at the 
top of his voice, specifying what the name of the (dead) was. He 
says this four times. When a person has died his name will be given. 
It is cried out four times. And when the death-wake is held those 
celebrating the feast of the gens use the wailing songs. They hold 
the gens festival all night long. 
The next day whoever is serving as ceremonial attendant is first 
summoned, and he selects those (who are to be employed in digging 
the grave) by whom he will be helped. After he appoints all, the 
one giving the gens festival says to him, ‘‘ Now you may each depart.” 
Then every one of those who are not engaged (to dig the grave) go 
home. Those engaged stay there. 
Then after it is full daylight they are told, “‘ Well, eventually we 
shall go and dig the grave,’”’ when they are awakened. ‘All right,” 
they say among themselves. Then they go to a cemetery and dig a 
grave. The dead is (placed) where (dead) relatives are. It is not 
anywhere, he is nearby. Those employed dig the grave. And the 
head man merely makes a stick which will stand upright at the head 
(of the dead). That is all he does. And he oversees those employed. 
They do as he says. 
7 Reverential. § Free translation. 
