56 THE OSAGE TRIBE 



[ETH. ANN. 43 



The ceremony closes with the end of the special instructions given 

 to the mother of the child blessed and named, and as each member 

 of the gentes who had taken part in the rite rises to go he makes 

 some pleasant remarks to the father and the mother. 



When the mother goes to her field to plant the seeds of the maize 

 she remembers the instructions and follows them in every detail. 

 As the maize matures and the ears are still green and tender the 

 mother cuts the stalks from the hills she had ceremonially made, 

 leaving the ears on the stalks. She ties the stalks in bundles, and, 

 with the aid of friends, carries them home to her house. She then 

 prepares a feast to which she invites the man who had acted as 

 Xo'-ka at the ceremonial naming of her child. He in turn invites 

 some of his friends who had acted as Xo'-ka in child-naming cere- 

 monies to come and share in the feast prepared for him. 



If among the invited guests there happens to be a member of the 

 Tho'-xe gens, learned in the rituals, he is requested by the honored 

 guest to recite the maize wi'-gi-e of his gens. 



A paraphrase is here given of the wi'-gi-e which the Tho'-xe recite 

 to give pleasure to the host and to the guests. The mythical story 

 points to mid-heaven as the region of the conception of life forms, 

 and as the starting point of the Osage people in their journey to 

 earth, the region of actual bii'th into bodily existence. 



Origin Wi'-gi-e of the Tho'-xe Gens 



The people spake to one another, saying: Lo, the little ones are not a people, 

 Let search be made by the younger brothers for a place where the little ones may 



become a people. 

 Even as these words were being spoken, a younger brother 

 Hastened to the first division of heaven. 

 Close to which he came and paused, 



When, returning to the elder brothers, he spake, saying: 

 Verily, nothing of importance has come to my notice. 

 Make further search, O, younger brothers, the people said, 

 The little ones are not a people. 



Then, a younger brother, 



Even as these words were being spoken. 



Hastened to the second division of heaven, where he paused. 



When, as the god of darkness cast a shadow upon the heavens, 



He returned to the eldest brothers and stood. 



They looked up and spake, saying: How has it fared with you? It was not your 



wont to suffer so, O, younger Isrother. 

 He replied: I have been to the second division of heaven. 

 It is not possible for the little ones to become a people there. 



O, Younger brother, 



We bid you make further search, the people said. 



Even as these words were being spoken, 



One hastened to the third division of heaven, 



He drew near and paused. 



