34 THE HAKO, A PAWNEE CEREMONY [eth. akn.33 



K.vpUniiiiidn Jiij flu Kn'rultiis 



As we sing- this stanza we think of the lodge erected aboiit the holy 

 l)laee in accordance with the rites given to our fathers upon the earth, 

 which Tirawci made to 1)e our dwelling place. 



In such a lodge this ceremony must take place, and as we sing we 

 ask that the lodge in which we are assembled to prepare the sacred 

 articles may l)e kept free from all hurtful influences and that the lesser 

 powers whicli bringlife and strength may come near us as we sit within. 



We also think of the lodge to which we will go for the further ])er- 

 formance of this ceremony, for we desire that tlie pi-esence of tlie lesser 

 powers may be there also. 



In this ceremouy the lodge represents the uest, tlie i)lacc where the 

 young are enclosed. Tliey are ^jrotected l)y the male; the male eagle 

 guards his nest; witliin its walls there is safety. 



Tmnsldtiuii (if Teiiflt Sfanzu 



4ii, 47, 48 See lines 1, 2, 3. 

 4'J Ileru! Kataliaru. He! 



heru! an exclamation of reverence. See line 4. 

 Katahara, jjart of the word itkataharu, fireplace. The droj)ping 

 of the initial syllable, it, changes the meaning; the word here 

 refers to the place where fire is to be kindled iu the .sacred 

 manner for the performance of sacred rites, 

 he! i)art of i'hare! give heed! See line 4. 

 50 See lines 2 and 20. "AVe reflect on Kataharu!" 



Explaiiatiiin hi/ the Ku' riihiis 



As we sing this stanza we think of the place set apart for the kin- 

 dling of fire after the manner taught our fathers, by rubbing two 

 sticks together. Fire kindled in this way is sacred; it comes direct 

 from the power gi-anted to Toharu (Vegetation), in answer to man's 

 appeal as he rubs the sticks. The sticks used to make this fire are 

 kept in a shrine. 



The sacred fire must come iu a place set apart for it. All sacred 

 things must have their place. Kataharu is the place set apart for the 

 sacred fire, where it can come and bring good to man; without it he 

 could haidly live. We make the fire in the center of the lodge, where 

 all wilViin can share in its benefits. 



As I told you, the lodge in this ceremony represents the nest where 

 the young are cared for and jjrotected. The male eagle pi-otects the 

 nest, the female eagle broods over it, and ther(> she nourishes her 

 young. As we are asking for the gift of children to bind the people 

 together as one family, so we sing about the fireplace, that fire maj' 

 come as we prej)are the sacred articles. 



