106 THE HAKO, A PAWNEE CEREMONY [eth. ann. 22 



facinjic the entrance at tlie east. The^' wIkj have In-ought gifts to the 

 Fathers go ai'ouud to the sacred place and lay them down upon the 

 ground between the central fire and tlie Hako. All gifts are received 

 silently unless someone brings a present of food ; for such an offering 

 the Ku'rahus gives thanks. 



In old days it was not unusual for the Children to bring packs filled 

 with dried buffalo meat; sometimes the packs contained the entire 

 jjroduct of a hunt. 



When all the Children are gathered within the lodge the Ku'rahus 

 directs that the Hako be taken up. When this is done, the five men 

 stand facing the east. The chief, in the center, holds the wildcat 

 skin and the ear of corn; on his left and toward the north is the 

 Ku'rahus with the brown-eagle feathered stem, and at his left is the 

 doctor with the left wing of the eagle. On the right of the chief and 

 toward the south is the Ku'rahus's assistant holding the white-eagle 

 feathered stem, and at his right the doctor with the riglit wing of the 

 eagle. The Kii'rahus now addresses the Children: 



"Mother Corn has led us to the liorder of your laud. Mother Corn 

 has brought us to yoni- village. Mother Corn has guided us to the 

 entrance of this lodge. Mother Corn has crossed the threshold and 

 entered. The lodge has been swept and made ready for th"^ ceremony. 

 Kawas has flown about the lodge seeking its child, and i.ere he has 

 been found. 



" You must all help me by reverent conduct as I try to perform faith- 

 fully the rite handed down from our fathers, so that all the promise 

 of good which follows the Hako may come to us here." 



No particular form of speech was taught me to be used on this 

 occasion. Every Ku'rahus can choose his own words, but he must at 

 this time tell the people of the sacredness of this ceremony and call 

 upon them to give reverent attention that the rite may go forward to 

 the end and be the means of bringing good to all who take part in it. 



By this time those appointed to attend to the cooking have prepared 

 food outside of the lodge. This is now brought in and placed near 

 the fireplace, toward the east. 



Before anyone can be served the thoughts of the Fathers and of 

 the Children must be turned toward Tira'wa, the father of all things, 

 so we sing the following song as we carry the Hako around the lodge 

 and wave the feathered stems over the heads of the people. 



