LA FLESCHEI 



CHILD-NAMING RITE 75 



The two wi'-gi-es do not agree as to the sexes of two of the sky 

 deities. In the Tsi'-zhu Wa-shta-ge wi'-gi-e, Ta-pa' (Pleiades) is 

 addressed as grandmother and in that of the Tsi'-zhu Wa-no° as 

 grandfather. Ta-tha'-bthi°, Three-deer, is addressed as grandfather 

 in the Tsi'-zhu Wa-shta-ge wi'-gi-e and in that of the Tsi'-zhu 

 Wa-no° as grandmother. 



The difference between the two wi'-gi-es in this respect was 

 spoken of to Sho°'-ge-mo°-i° and he said: "We notice such mistakes 

 in the tribal rites but controversy over them is always avoided by the 

 No'"-ho°-zhi°-ga. Xu-tha'-wa-to°-i'' recited his wi'-gi-e correctly, 

 and we recite ours as it was handed down to us. The Tsi'-zhu 

 Wa-no", being a war people, mention in their wi'-gi-e their two war 

 gods, the Red-star and the Dog-star; they address both as grand- 

 father. We (the Tsi'-zhu Wa-shta-ge) are a peace people, therefore 

 we do not mention those two gods in our child-naming ritual." 



First Child-naming Wi'-gi-e of the Tsi'-zhu W^a-no^' Gens 



The following is the first wi'-gi-e in the Child-naming Ritual of the 

 Tsi'-zhu W'a-no°, war gens, of the Tsi'-zhu great tribal division, as 

 recited by Xu-tha'-wa-to"-!". 



TAKING OF LIFE SYMBOLS 

 1 



1. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 



2. The Tsi'-zhu, a people who have seven fireplaces, spake to one 



another, 



3. Saying: O, younger brothers, 



4. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 



5. Then, at that very time they spake 



6. To the Sho'-ka Wa-ba-xi (the Chief Messenger), 



7. Saying: O, younger brother, 



8. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies, 



9. Take heed and see what can be done. 



10. Then, at that very time, 



1 1 . The Cliief Messenger 



12. Hastened to the 



13. God of Day (the Sun), who sitteth in the heavens, 



14. And returned with him to the people. 



15. They spake to the God of Day, saying: O, grandfather, 



16. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 



17. Then, at that very time, 



18. The God of Day quickly replied: It is well you sent for me. 



19. Of all the groups of gods, 



20. I am a god by myself. 



21. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 



