THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE 41 



are amusements devised in the heaven world, the Osto'wago'wa, 1 

 Gone'owo 11 ', Ado n/ we n and Ganawe n 'gowa.' " 

 So they said and he said. Eniaiehuk. 



section 31 



" ' Now another message to tell your people. 



" ' The Creator has sanctioned four dances for producing a joy- 

 ful spirit and he has placed them in the keeping of Honon'diont. 2 

 who have authority over them. The Creator has ordered that on 

 certain times and occasions there should be thanksgiving ceremonies. 

 At such times all must thank the Creator that they live. After that, 

 let the chiefs thank him for the ground and the things on the 

 ground and then upward to the sky and the heaven-world 

 where he is. Let the children and old folk come and give 

 thanks. Let the old women who can scarcely walk come. 

 They may lean against the middle benches and after listen- 

 ing to three or four songs must say, " I thank the Great Ruler that 

 I have seen this day." Then will the Creator call them right be- 

 fore him. 



" ' It seems that you have never known that when Osto'wago'wa 

 was being celebrated that one of the four beings was in the midst 

 of it, but it is so. Now when the time for dancing comes you must 

 wash your faces and comb your hair, paint your face with red spots 

 on either cheek, and with a thankful heart go to the ceremony. This 

 preparation will be sufficient, therefore, do not let your style of 

 dress hold you back. 



' You have not previously been aware that when a Godi'ont is 

 appointed that you have not appointed her. No, for the Great 

 Ruler has chosen her. A road leads from the feet of every godi'ont 

 and hodi'ont toward heaven. Truly this is so only of they who do 

 right before the Creator.' " 



So they said and he said. Eniaiehuk. 



section 32 



" ' Now another message for your people. 

 ' He who created us appointed that there should be chiefs, 

 (hodi'ion'), and that they should do good for the people.'" 



So they said and he said. Eniaiehuk. 



1 The Great Feather dance, the Harvest dance, the Sacred Song and the 

 Peach Stone game. 



2 Honon'diont, overseers or keepers of ceremonies, more often women 

 than men. The word means They are mountains. (Hodi'ont is mas. sing.; 



Godi'ont, fern. sing.). 



