i8o 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



I remember then that this darkness must symbolize the awful 

 night that came upon him. 



Sure that the " winged " light will float into the room from 

 some place, I wink my eyes wider open, and at last see a faint light 

 where the table stands. Yes, the light that comes and goes is 

 clearly defined. I know that there is nothing supernatural in the 

 ceremonies of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah but I still sit and wonder. 



My host whispers : ' ' Watch , they have uncovered the medicine . ' ' 



I comprehend. I had been told that the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah, 

 possessed of certain phosphorescent elements, would emit a lumi- 

 nous glow when first exposed to the air and darkness. At the 

 same instant a small blaze glows from the top of the stove. By 

 this brighter and stronger light the medicine light fades away. 

 Outlined in the darkness I see the venerable chanter standing by 

 the stove. He is throwing the sacred tobacco on the blaze and in 

 a low voice is saying: " Oh thou, the Great Spirit, the giver of 

 the darkness and repose, we thank thee for all the silences of the 

 night." This invocation is followed by an offering of gratitude, 

 also numerous petitions for the preservation of the medicine, the 

 quick recovery of any to whom it may be administered, and the 

 spiritual and temporal welfare of each member of the society. 

 He also asks of each life that may be preparing to fly unasked from 

 some human body to remain a while longer and not go until the 

 Great Spirit is ready and invites it. At the end of each sentence 

 he rests and throws tobacco on the flame until the little blaze has 

 expired and the darkness is again in the room. Then the chief in 

 the invitation rite requests all the night folk of the forest, including 

 those who run under the ground, to protect us on our journey to 

 the morning. The chanter then recites a wierd melody : 



The darkness song 



Ha go wa nah u na 



Ha go way nah u na ha ha ha go way 



Ha una ha na ha ah, 



Ha go way, 

 Na sa ha nee ga ha do wayhe ah 

 Ha u na ha ah ha go way ! 



We wait in the darkness ! 

 Come, all ye who listen, 

 Help in our night journey: 

 Now no sun is shining; 

 Now no star is glowing; 

 Come show us the pathway: 



