FLETCHER] INCIDENTAL RITUALS 265 



PRAYER TO AVERT STORMS 



Exphniutidii 111/ Ihe Kii'rahus 



We like to have the sky clear during tlie time this ceremony is 

 taking place. We do not like to have clouds come between us and 

 the abode of Tira'wa atius, particularly storm clouds. We feel this 

 way because we do not want anything to intercept the prayers of the 

 Fathers or to hinder the descent of the help that we ask for the Chil- 

 dren. If, however, clouds arise and a storm threatens, tlie Children 

 may request this song to be sung, but the Fathers may not volunteer 

 to sing it. 



After the request for the song has been made, the following cere- 

 mony takes i^lace: The Ku'rahus, with the Kawas feathered stem, his 

 assistant with the white-eagle feathered stem, and tlie chief with the 

 wildcat skin, in which are the crotched stick, the ear of corn, and the 

 sacred pipe, rise from their .seats at the west and pass out of the lodge. 

 When they are outside under the open sky, they face the gathering 

 clouds an<l sing the first stanza four times. While thej' sing the song 

 and wave the eagle stems to the rhythm of the music, the cliief holds 

 the cat skin up toward the storm clouds. He holds it the same way 

 while we sing the second stanza four times. 



The words of these stanzas are few, but their meaning has come 

 down to us with the .storj' of the song. 



Long, long ago the woodpecker was told by Tira'wa that the light- 

 ning would never strike the tree upon which it had built its nest. 

 The four beings at the west who have control of the thunder and 

 lightning would ijrotect the bird, so that it need never fear the storm. 



The woodpecker which came to the man to wiiom this ceremony 

 was revealed taught him this song and told him when to sing it. He 

 was to sing it only when the storm threatened; if he sang it at any 

 other time he would bring rain and storm upon the people. 



