TLETCHER] SEVENTH RITUAL, PART II 99 



Explanation by the Ku'rahiis 



The words of the first stanza tell us that Kawas is now hovering 

 overhead in the lodge. 



The eagle soars in the skies and can eonmiunicate with the powers 

 that are above; so the eagle represents these powers. As we stand 

 facing the east the white-eagle feathered stem, on the right, toward the 

 south, represents brightness, the light, the day, the sun, and it is the 

 male. It is for defense and is parried on the side farthest from the 

 people. The brown-eagle feathered stem, Kawas, is to the left, toward 

 the north; it represents darkness, the night, the moon, and is the 

 female. Kawas is carried nearest the people. Kawas has the right 

 to make the nest and to .seek help from Tira'wa for the Children. 



Kawas leads in this ceremony, which is to ask for the gift of chil- 

 dren, not only that children may be born to us, but that the tie of 

 l)arent and child may be established between us and those to whom 

 we are bringing these sacred objects, that peace may be between the 

 tribes, and x^lent}' and long life and prosperity. So we sing that 

 Kawas is hovering in the lodge, as an eagle hovers over her nest. 



This stanza is sung slowly, for the eagle as it hovers is slow in its 

 movements. 



Translation af Second Stanza 



413 IIo-o-o! An iutrcxluelory exclamation. 



414 Kawas tewi kire hera ti rao. 



Kawas, the brown eagle, representing the beneficent powers, 

 tewi, hovering, moving with a slow, circling movement, 

 kire, starting to fly. 

 hera, my. 



ti, jiossessive jironoun. 

 rao, part of the word pirao. child. 

 415,410 See line 414. 



Explanation Inj the Kn'rahus 



We sing the second stanza faster, for now Kawas has stretched her 

 mighty wings and is flying within the lodge, driving awa,y all harm- 

 ful influences and making the place ready for all the good that is 

 promised to us through this ceremony. 



When, on the fourth circuit, the west is reached, we pau.se and face 

 the east, but we continue to sing until we have repeated this second 

 stanza four times. 



As soon as we have reached the west the two doctoi's with the eagle 

 wings move away, the one with the left wing going by the north and 

 the one with the right wing going toward the south. They raise and 

 lower the wings to simulate the eagle cl"-iniiig its nest, flapping and 

 blowing out all imimrities. When the doctors meet at the east they 



