54 



THE OSAGE TRIBE 



[ETH. ANN. 43 



Special Instructions to the Mother 



At the close of the ceremony of blessing the child by the various 

 gentes officiating, the Sho'-ka conducts the mother to a seat pre- 

 pared for her in front of the Xo'-ka, who gives her special instruc- 

 tions in the ceremonies to be observed by her to complete the child- 

 naming rite. Between the two is spread a buffalo robe which had 

 been decorated with certain symbolic designs. (Fig. 2.) This 

 formal talk to the mother is called "Ki'-no" U-tha-ge," Telling of 

 the Symbolic Painting. Extra fees are required for the special 

 instruction, which, with the help of friends and relatives, the mother 

 is enabled to pay. 



If the mother is skilled with her awl and thread in ornamental 

 work she would decorate with porcupine quUls the symbolic robe 



to be used in this special ceremony; 

 if not skOled, she woidd content herself 

 with painting the symbolic designs on 

 the robe. 



When the robe has been spread 

 before the Xo'-ka he begins to talk, 

 as follows: 



Wi-tsi-ni-e', My daughter-in-law, I 

 see you have brought with you a robe 

 which you have dressed and decorated 

 for the comfort of your little one. It 

 is a sacred robe which should be put 

 to use with proper ceremony. This 

 ceremony you will observe for a period 

 of four days, during which you will 

 paint red the parting of your hair. 

 It will be a sign that you appeal for a long and fruitful life for your- 

 self and child, to the god of day whose path lies over the middle of 

 the earth. 



You have reddened the head and the forelegs of the robe. The 

 head and forelegs of the robe typify that part of the earth whence 

 rises the god of day to take his westward journey. Red is the color 

 of the day when it is yoimg, the time when you will rise and go forth 

 to prepare food for the little one whose tender life is wholly dependent 

 upon your efforts. A narrow line rmis from the head of the robe 

 along the middle of the back to the tail. This line typifies the path 

 of the god of day who ever travels from east to west. Midway of 

 the path is a round spot which represents the god of day when it 

 has reached the middle of heaven. Here he marks the time when 

 you will turn your thoughts from other things to the feeding of the 

 little one so that the nourishing of its life may be continuous. The 

 god of day continues his journey and in time reaches the edge of 

 the earth, behind which he finally disappears. The hind legs and 



Fig. 2. — Symbolic- robe prepared for children 



