bunzel] zuni origin myths 605 



The Talk of the Katcina Chief 



Long ago, when the village stood on the top of Corn Mountain, 

 those whose roads go ahead all met together. When they had gath- 

 ered together they questioned one another: "How shall we enjoy 

 ourselves? Now the men are greatly increasing in number and the 

 women are greatly increasing in number. It is not yet clear with 

 what pleasures we shall pass our time." (5) Thus they said to one 

 another. Their pekwin said, "Is it not clear?" Thus he said. 

 "No, it is not clear. " "Indeed, in vain you are men! Yonder once 

 we had our first beginnmg. Perhaps there we shall set down prayer 

 sticks for them because there our children stay quietly." Thus he 

 said. "Hear! hear!" they said. They made prayer sticks. (10) 

 When they had finished their prayer sticks, to Whispering Spring 

 they sent their prayer sticks. When their prayer sticks arrived there, 

 there they (the divine ones) thought it over among themselves. 

 "Now which of you will count up the days at Itiwana for our daylight 

 fathers, our mothers, our children?" Thus they said. The priests 

 of the katcinas said: "Well, this one, because he is our father." 

 Thus they said. They sent for kii'klo priest. (15) When he came 

 to where his fathers were gathered together they laid hold of him 

 fast with their prayer stick. They waited. 



It was spring. At the new moon of the month of little sand storms 

 (March) there, desiring one another, they sat down together in 

 council. Kii'klo priest said, "How shall I come to our daylight 

 fathers, our mothers, our children, at Itiwana?" Thus he said. 

 His grandfathers,, Molanhakto,' priests, set him on their backs. 

 They came hither. (20) Just at dawn, shortly before sunrise, they 

 came to Corn Moimtain. At Corn Mountain they went about in the 

 streets. Then somewhere they climbed up to a house. There where 

 the people were gathered together he spoke. How it would be (he 

 told them). "This day and four more days, and then my two 

 children wUl come. They will count the days for you. " (25) Thus he 

 said. The people spoke. They said, "Well, is that so?" After he 

 had gone the people waited. 



After four daj^s the two katcinas came.'' At all their houses 

 they counted the days for them. "Four days from this day we shall 

 come. On the third (30) day you will have made everything ready 

 and then on 'the fourth day we shall come. May you all pass a 

 good night. " Saying this, the two went. 



Four times the sim rose and the women folks cooked. In the even- 

 ing the two came. "Make haste!" they went about saying. The 

 sun went in. (35) They went. Then meeting them the others came. 

 They went about, dancing. They finished. Then others came. 



' The Koyemci, esoteric name. 



^ The announoere who come four days before ko'uptconawe. 



