61 



II 



H'Atira hu weti arisut! 

 H'Atira hu weti arisut! 

 H'Atira hu weti arisut! 

 H'Atira hu weti arisut! 

 H'Atira hu weti arisut! 

 H'Atira hu weti arisut! 



Translation of First Stanza 



172 H'Atira hu weta ariso! 



h', the sign of an aspiration; a breath; the symbol of giving 

 life. ^ 



atira, mother. The term is here applied to the ear of corn, the 

 representativ-e of Mother Earth. 



hu, the same as ha, yonder. The vowel is changed from a to 

 u to give greater euphouj' in singing by avoiding the repe- 

 tition of the sound a. 



weta, coming toward one, so as to overtake one. 



ariso, a living thing that has come from a great distance in 

 time or space. 

 173-177 See line 17-2. 



Explanation by the Ku'raJius 



This stanza is sitng four times. As we sing it the first time the 

 jjriucipal chief takes a step with his right foot, which brings him on a 

 line with the Ku'rahus and his assistant. When we sing it a second 

 time he takes a step with his left foot, which leaves him in advance 

 of the line of the Ku'ralius and his assistant. As we sing it a third 

 time he takes a step with his right foot and turns toward the north. 

 When we sing it the fourth time he advances a step with his left foot. 

 He has now passed in front of the Ku'rahus as leader, and faces the 

 north. 



As we sing this song we remember that Mother Earth is very old. 

 She is everywhere, she knows all men, she gave (supported) life to our 

 fathers, she gives (supports) life to us, and she will give life to our 

 children. 



Tlie ear of corn represents venerable Mother Earth, and also the 

 authority given by the powers above; so, as the chief, holding the ear 

 of corn, takes the four steps tliat bring him in advance of the Ku'ra- 

 hus, we sing that Mother breathing forth life and bearing the sign of 

 the powers above is now coming from the far distant past to go 

 before us. 



At the close of the fourth repeat the Ku'rahus tells the assistant 

 chief to pass in front and stand at the right hand of the principal 



