BADiN] RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES BASED ON BLESSINGS 345 



plant and blessed him with long life and with victorious warpaths. 

 He asked to be remembered by Hodja'noka in his offerings. The 

 buffalo-spirit told him that if he would pour tobacco for him, and 

 give feasts and make offerings of eagle feathers, the blessings he had 

 given him would last forever. 



"All these blessings were handed down to my father. These I 

 also was taught. This life do we pray for and we have asked you 

 all to come and help us. We thank you for it. As soon as the 

 attendants are finished with the preparation of the food then we 

 will eat. Our servants may perhaps burn their hands while pre- 

 paring the food, but they will obtain life by so doing. Those who 

 possess war bundles are always told to help one another and I know 

 that you have come here for that reason. Life I am seeking and 

 that is why I am giving this feast. Help me, all you owners of 

 bundles who are present here. I will now sing some of the songs 

 that Hodja'noka taught us. You who have obtained blessings, I 

 greet you." 



Then he sang the following songs: 



Song 1 



Na5g:ura homa'ni hiwiie. (Repeat.) 

 In the road walk let him do. 



Song 2 



Hodja'noka hamani'wine. (Repeat.) 

 Hodjanoka Walk by. 



Song 3 



KSra Hodja'noka hamani'^vine. 

 Say, Hodjanoka Walk by. 



Dancing song 



Hodja'noka tcawawi're. (Repeat.) 



Hodjanoka go toward. 



Erehu'na. (Repeat twice.) Wiga're. (Repeat twice.) 



It is coming say to them. 



As soon as Hodja'noka finished his songs, then all the objects 

 (drum, gourds, etc.) were passed to He-who-strikes-the-earth-with- 

 his-wings, and he rose and spoke: 



"Brother-in-law, councilors, relatives, all who are seated here, I 

 greet you. You who have been blessed with bundles, I gi-eet like- 

 wise. You are taking the place of the spirits. It is good. We are 

 trying to encourage one another and we have come to help you. 

 We have brought you food for the feast. We also are desirous of 

 obtaining long life and that is why we have brought our offerings, 

 for we know the buffalo-spirits will accept them, as they are very 

 tempting. You who are taking the place of the spirits, I greet you." 

 186823—22 23 



