110 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



THE DEATH FEAST 1 

 Wainonjaa v ko n ' 



Now let all listen, all ye who are here assembled! 



Cousins! We all are familiar with the happening of a few days 

 ago. We are [therefore] here because of what the Creator has 

 done. 



Now the relatives have made arrangements. They have prom- 

 ised to obey the commands of the four messengers who said, " It is 

 right to have a feast for the dead. Therefore this thing should be 

 done." 



Ten days have passed. Now the relatives of the dead have made 

 preparations and the feast is ready for the dead. Now let this be 

 in your minds, all ye who are here present. 



[The preacher here pauses. At his side sits the speaker for the 

 mourners. In his charge is a bundle containing various gifts for 

 those who have aided the bereaved family. The speaker has been 

 told to whom the various presents are to go, and as the preacher 

 pauses and bends down to receive the formal instructions he hands 

 him the first gift. Sitting among the women mourners is a woman, 

 the " mistress of the ceremonies," whose duty is to deliver the 

 gifts to the intended recipients. 



After listening to the directions of the speaker the preacher re- 

 sumes] : 



So now the bereaved offer thanks. They thank the one who 

 cared for the body of the dead and dressed it for burial. To that 

 one they give this as a testimony. [The preacher names the ar- 

 ticle and the matron rising from her seat receives it and delivers it 

 to the person named]. 



[The preacher again bends to the speaker at his side and receives 

 the " second word." Again facing the audience he proceeds] : 



So now of another they have thought. It is of the night watcher 

 [or night watchers] . To this one [or to these ones] , they give this 

 roll of cloth [or skins]. And this is your thanks. 



[The speaker hands the preacher the roll and he hands it to the 

 matron who delivers it. Stooping and listening to the whispered 

 instructions for the delivery of the next gift, the preacher after 

 making sure that he understands straightens and again speaks] : 



1 Related by Edward Cornplanter, March 1906. 



