BADiN] BURIAL AND FUNERAL CUSTOMS 141 



on his fingers, and earrings in his ears. The body is then put in the 

 casket. 



By the time this is all finished the gravediggers have about com- 

 pleted their work. Then the mourners blacken their faces with 

 charcoal and the corpse is taken up by the man to whom this duty is 

 delegated. The mourners follow behind, weeping. Thus they pro- 

 ceed to the grave. When they get there the corpse is laid in the 

 grave. Then the chief moximer steps across the center of the grave 

 and the others do the same. When they start back, they are told 

 under no circumstance to turn around and look in the direction of the 

 grave. 



The grave is then filled in. 



Then the overseer goes around to the various people in the village 

 and invites them all to come to (the wake). The brave men and war- 

 riors are especially welcomed. 



The mourners prepare food and when the sun goes down the chief 

 mourner takes a stick made of hard wood and lights it and carries it 

 to the grave, placing it at the east end. It is supposed to be still 

 burning when placed there. After this is done (the man returns) and 

 the overseer gets everything in readiness for the feast. When all is 

 ready the chief mourner speaks as follows: 



All my relatives who are sitting here, I greet you. I have done nothing of any con- 

 sequence which could justify you to come here and honor me, yet l>eing relatives of 

 mine, you have (in the kindness of your hearts) come to comfort me. I have prepared 

 cooked food and boiled water for my child ( the dead person ) , and tobacco is also handy, 

 all of which the attendant when he is ready will pass around to all and give to whom- 

 soever he pleases. That is why I am greeting you. 



Then the attendant takes the water and tobacco and gives it to 

 the one who is to speak to the soul of the departed person. This one 

 then rises and greets all those present and speaks as follows: 



To-night we are greeting you not for the sake of jollification, but because we are 

 afflicted (with grief) . Now, it is the custom to speak to the soul of the departed . It is 

 a sacred action, yet even I, they tell me, can do it, pro\'ided no worthier person can 

 be found. They ^ even tell me that my words will not cause the spirit of the departed 

 to lose his way in his journey (to spirit land i.^ For that reason I will speak to the 

 departed and say the liest I can. I greet you all. 



Then he takes some tobacco in one hand and passing it behind him 

 through the lodge says: 



Here it is, the tobacco. 1 am certain that you, O ghost, are not very far away, 

 that in fact you are standing right in back of me, waiting for me to reach you the pipe 

 and tobacco, that you might take it along with you, that likewise, you are waiting for 

 your food to take on your journey. However, four nights you will have to remain 

 here. 



2 This and what follows is the customary ceremonial modesty. 



3 It is believed that i f the chief speaker makes a mistake or exaggerates while thus addressing the spirit 

 of the deceased, the latter will lose his way in his journey to spirit land. 



