24 Virginia Shropshire Heath 



The Hako Mystery* 



This dramatization, the last of the three parts into which the 

 ceremonial falls, comprises four acts or episodes of an exclusive 

 nature together with an interlude of a public, social nature. The 

 latter, coming between the last two episodes, serves to lighten the 

 over-serious business of tragedy. 



The ritual constituting the initial episode, is made up of three 

 parts or situations. In the first place the Fathers " go seeking 

 their child." This symbolic journey is directed to the home of the 

 Son, where his little son or daughter may be found to play the part 

 of Child. In the second situation the Powers are summoned to 

 the child and the sacra are brought near him symbolic of giving 

 him life and of promising to him children. After the Fathers have 

 sung, " Come and fear not, my child, all is well," the Child takes 

 four steps forward, symbolic of the progress of life, while the 

 Fathers sing, " I am ready ; come, my child." In the concluding 

 situation of this introductory act, the Fathers, singing, " Behold 

 your father walking with the child," set out for the ceremonial 

 lodge in company with the Child. 



The next ritual develops this subject matter in four situations, 

 all concerned with the ceremonial preparation of the Child for 

 the climactic consecration which occurs in the third episode. All 

 that is done now is concealed from the view of the warriors in the 

 two bands, for the business of war is not compatible with these 

 rites. First the Child is symbolically cleansed for future life by 

 water " come from Tirawa-atius," the father of all things. Sym- 

 bolism is further carried out in regard to the bowl containing this 

 sacred water — it is " shaped like the dome of the sky." An old 

 man " chosen because of age and favors from powers above " is 

 delegated to perform this rite that the Child may receive like 

 blessings. First he touches the Child with the sacred water sym- 

 bolic of the Sky Father, then with grass as a symbol of Earth 

 ^Mother, giver of food to all. After this the old man anoints the 

 Child with a mixture of red clay and sacred animal fat. Next he 



* For accompanying songs, etc., see 22d A. R. B. E., Part II, pp. 201- 

 260, 345-362. 



400 



