IROQUOIS MYTHS AND LEGENDS 



149 



NEH HO-NOH-TCI-NOH-GAH, THE GUARDIANS OF THE 

 LITTLE WATERS, A SENECA MEDICINE SOCIETY 1 



BY 

 A. C. PARKER 



(Ga-wa-so-wa-neh) 



The most important and influential fraternity among the present 

 day Senecas is the Ho-noh-tci-noh-gah, commonly called the Secret 

 Medicine Society. The Ho-noh-tci-noh-gah, literally, guardian 

 spirits, is a fraternal organization instituted primarily to preserve 

 and perform the ancient rites deemed necessary for preserving 

 the potency of the ni-ga-ni-ga-ah, literally, little waters, popularly 



-^PrjjP J O 



An old medicine woman 

 Reproduced by courtesy of Metropolitan Magazine 



called the secret medicine, and the method of its administration. 

 Of the twelve native societies that have survived among the 

 Senecas none remains more exclusive, more secret or so rigidly 

 adheres to its ancient forms. No brotherhood among the Senecas is 

 so strong nor does any other hang so well together. There is never 

 internal dissension nor jealousy and never any division of opinion. 

 Unanimity is the rule in all things and discord of any kind would 

 be in variance with the very fundamental teachings of the order. No 

 organization among the Senecas today is so mysterious, nor does 

 any other possess the means of enforcing so rigorously its laws. The 

 Ho-noh-tci-noh-gah is without doubt a society of great antiquity, 



1 This article has been written, so far as possible, from the standpoint of the Indian. 



