FLETCHER] FIEST RITUAL, PART HI 47 



When we have tini.slied 8in.i;iiiu tliis soug the Kii rahiis takes one of 

 the plum-tree sticks, which lias been anomted witli red chty mixed 

 with fat, and ties on it witli a tliread of sinew a downj' eagle feather. 

 This stick is bound to the ear of corn so as to project a hand's Ijreadth 

 above the ti^) end, letting the downy featlier wave al)Ove Mother t'orn. 

 This feather represents Tira'wa. It is always moving as if Ijrcat liing. 



The Ku'rahus then binds tlie other plum-tree sticlv to the c()rn so 

 that it extends below the butt. AVlien the corn is placed in ceremo- 

 nial position this end of the stick is thrust in the ground so tliat the 

 ear will stand upright without touching the earth. Both sticks are 

 bound to the ear of corn by a braided band of hair taken from the 

 head of a butfalo. The liraided band signifies the gift of animal food 

 and the i^rovision of skin clothing. (The Skidi band of the Pawnees 

 tie a bit of buffah) wool, such a.s is shed by the animal in the spring, 

 together witli a braid of sweet grass, to the ear of corn.) 



The two gourd rattles, which represent the squasli given us i)y 

 Tira'wa, and also the breasts of tlie mother, are each painted with a 

 blue circle about tlie middle, with four ecpiidistant lines from the 

 circle to the liottom of the gourd. The circle represents the wall or 

 lioundary of the dome of the sky; the four lines are for tlie four 

 j)aths at the four directions down which the jiowers descend. Xo 

 song is sung while this iiainting is being done. 



All the sacred articles are laid at rest on a wildcat skin when tliey 

 are not being used ceremoniall}', and it is a cover for tliem in which 

 they are all wrapped together at the close of the ceremony. The skin 

 is never tanned, and the ears of the animal, the skin of the head, 

 the feet, and the claws must all be intact. 



Tira'wa made the wildcat to live in the forest. He has much skill 

 and ingenuity. The wildcat shows us that we mu.st think, we must 

 use tact, and be shrewd when we set out to do anything. If we 

 wish to afiijroach a person we should not do it bluntly; we should not 

 rush at him; that might offend him so that he would not receive us 

 or the gifts we desired to ort'er him. The wildcat does not make 

 enemies by rash action. lie is observant, quiet, and tactful, and he 

 always gains his end. 



In this ceremony we are to carry the sacred articles to one not of 

 our kindred in order to bind him to us by a sacred and strong tie; we 

 are to ask for him many good gifts, long life, health, and children, 

 and we should receive gifts from him in return. If we would .succeed 

 we must learn of the wildcat, and be wise as he is wise. 



The wildcat is one of the sacred animals. A man who killed a 

 wildcat could sacrifice it to Tira'wahut. The man who brought sucli 

 an otfering had the right to ask the priest to teach him some of the 

 mysteries that belong to the sacred shrine. 



Many years ago two men took the Hako to the Omaha tribe. On 

 the journej' one of them killed a wildcat. I said to the man: " 1 am 



