FLETCHER] FIRST RITUAL, PART I 31 



Explanation hij tlie Ku' rahus 



H'Uraru, the Earth, is the lesser power we cry to next. The Earth is 

 very near to man ; we speak of her as Atira, Mother, because she brings 

 forth. From tlie Earth we get our food; we lie down on her; we live 

 and walk on her ; we could not exist without her, as we could not breathe 

 without Hotoru (the Winds) or grow without Shakuru (the Sun). 



Mother Earth is very potent to help man and now we cry to 1km- to 

 come near and give potentiality to the sacred articles we are about to 

 prepare. 



We reverently reflect upon all that Mother Earth does for us. 



Translation of Fifth Stanza 



21, 22, 23 See the first stanza, lines 1, 2, 3. 



24 Heru! Toharu. He! 



heru I an exclamation of reverence. See the first stanza, line 4. 



Toharu, the living covering of the earth, no special form lieing 

 indicated; a general term for vegetation, but imxjlying the 

 supei-natural power manifested therein. Katoha'ru, trees. 



he! part of i'hare! give heed! See the first stanza, line -4. 



25 See lines 2 and 20. " We reflect on Toharu! " 



Explanation Inj the Ku'rahns 



Toharu means all the things that Mother Earth brings forth (all 

 forms of vegetation) ; these are many. They are very necessary t(j 

 man and they bring him much help. They too are lesser powei-s, 

 though not so potent as some of the others. From them we get our 

 food; from them comes the grass upon which the animals feed — the 

 animals which supply clothing ami food; from them come the trees 

 which are very necessary to u.s. They have a part in this eeremonj-. 



As we sing we think iipon all that Toharu gives us and we cry to 

 this power to come near, for without the help of Toharu some of the 

 sacred articles required for this ceremony could not be obtained. 



At this stanza the two men who have been selected to cut the two 

 sticks of ash arise and go out of the lodge to perform this duty. The 

 ash tree has been chosen beforehand, b\it the two men must cut the 

 sticks when they go out at this time. 



We stop between the stanzas of tlie song that this act may be 

 performed. 



