MooNET] SEASONS OF THE KIOWA 367 



111 addition to these recognized divisions the summers or warm weather 

 periods, as distinguished from the winters, were usually counted by 

 ]/<(dos or sun dances, which were commonly held once a year, the time 

 being fixed by the whitening of the down on the cottouwoods, about 

 the beginning of June. 



The following table is a good approximation of the manner in which 

 the Kiowa divide the year, beginning about October 1: 



SAIGYA: WINTER 



Gi'ikiuat'o P'a, last half. 



A'ga'nti. 



Tepgafi P'a. 



Ganhifia P'a. 



Ka'gi'iat P'a iiiiu, first half. 



ISEGYA: SPRINU 



Ka'guat P'a Siin, last half. 



Ka'gi'iat P'a. 



Aideh P'a. 



Pal A ga'nti, _/(>*■< half. 



PAIGYA: SUMMER 



Pai A'giVnti, last half. 

 Pai Tepgan P'a. 

 Pai Ganhifia P'a. 

 T'agunotal P'a Siin. 

 T'agunotal P'a, first half. 



rA6NGYA: AUTUMN 



T'agunotal P'a, last half. 

 Giikinat'o P'a, ^rs^ half. 



Autumn seems to be less definitely noted than the other seasons. 



KIOWA 3IOOKS OR MONTHS 



While the Kiowa note the changes of the moon and have a fixed 

 name for each moon or lunar month, it is not to be supposed that their 

 system could have the exactness of the calendar systems of the more 

 cultivated nations of the south, or perhaps even of the sedentary tribes 

 of the east, whose interests so largely depended upon noting carefully 

 the growth and rijiening of crops, the appearance of the v.arious species 

 of fish in the streams, etc. Nevertheless, they have a system, imperfect 

 though it be, and it can not be said of them, as Matthews says of some 

 northern tribes, that "they have no formal names for the lunar periods." 

 In this, as in other matters of tribal lore, they defer to the superior 

 knowledge of certain old men who assume the position of experts on 

 the subject. 



