358 THE HAKO, A PAWNEE CEREMONY [eth. anx.22 



oriole's uest represented security. The four circles ;uoinul the fire as 

 made by the Ku'rahiis carrying the brown-feathered stem pictured to 

 tlio Pawnees the promise of children, the gifts of plenty and of peace 

 from the powers above. 



SONG" 



Diagram of Time 



Rlii/fhinic Rendition 



Behold where two eagles come forth! 



Now they soar high over head: 



See where one flies, watching flies, guarding he 



His mate who has gone to her nest, dropping there; 



'Tis Kawas who brings there new life. 



P.\RT II. Symbolic Fulfilment 



The little child was put within each of these prophetic circles, its 

 feet touching the nest and the promised plenty. Four times it was 

 taken around the fireplace and each time it touched the four circles. 

 The child was covered during the act of putting its feet in the nest. 

 TJiis act symbolized the birth of children, a mystery to man, as "only 

 Tira'wa could know when generation would take place." 



This simulated fulfilment of tlie ])romise of the Hako completed 

 the .sequence of acts in the drama of hirtli. 



SONG '■ 



Diagram of Time 



Rlii/flimic ReiitliHoti 



Within the nest the child re.sts its little feet, 

 Awaiting there the gift sent by gods above: 

 Descending there to him comes the ijromised life. 



Part III. Thank Offering 



The offering of sweet smoke followed immediately. As the smoke 

 ascended all the articles of the llako were waved through it, the child 

 was touched with it, and all the i^eojile passed their hands through it. 



The sweet smoke offering was given that the powers above might 



" Music on page 242. I' Music on page 245. 



