28 Virginia Shropshire Heath 



as the Greek tragedy produced, as did Shakespeare too in the 

 last period of his writings. "We are always happy when we 

 are with the Hako," says Tahirtissawichi. Is it necessary to 

 establish further the inherent dramatic significance of the central 

 mystery in the Hako? 



Omaha Rites Pertaining to the Individual 



Closely allied to the passion-purging^ soul-exalting effect of the 

 Hako are the more distinctly individual ceremonials of the peace- 

 loving Omaha.^ Here, too, the child is the ruling motif, first as 

 an infant of eight days, then as a child of three or more, and 

 finally as a youth or maid. 



Introduction of the Child to the Cosmos 



Until its ritualistic recognition, the newborn babe was but an 

 element of the universe " through the bond of the common life- 

 giving power," with no human significance, with no tribal or gens 

 connection. Not until eight days after its birth was the Omaha 

 child formally introduced into the " teeming life of the universe." 

 The priest, with whom this function was hereditary, having been 

 summoned, took his stand at the door of the tent where the baby 

 lay, and raising his hand palm outwards towards the sky, chanted 

 in a loud tone a supplication to the " powers of the heavens, the 

 air, and the earth " for the protection of the child, as it should 

 travel "the rugged road, stretching over four hills" — infancy, 

 youth, manhood, and old age. Here are sounded. 



" the emotions of the human soul, touched with the love of off- 

 spring, alone with the might of nature, and companioned only by 

 the living creatures whose friendliness must be sought if life is 

 to be secure on its journey." 



Meanwhile, the baby life is further protected by a tiny hole cut 

 in the sole of one of its first moccasins. 



" This is done in order that if a messenger from the spirit world 

 should come and say to the child, ' I have come for you ' ; the 

 5 See 27th A. R. B. E., Washington, 1905-1906, pp. 1 19-128. 



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