THE SNAKE DANCE 



119 



Photo by A. C. Vroman, of Pasadena, California 

 CHILDREN OF ORAIBI 



nately, this was a desert place, where no 

 rain fell and the corn could not grow. 



"The chief of this village had two 

 sons, the elder of whom, 'Tigo,' resolved 

 to return to the underworld where he 

 could learn of the gods how to be always 

 assured of their favor. He made for 

 himself a coffin-like boat of a hollow 

 tree, into which he sealed himself and 

 was thrown into the Colorado River, 

 which he was convinced would carry him 

 down to the home of the gods'. His rude 

 boat dashed down the rapids and over 

 the falls into the secret bowels of the 

 earth. 



"At last it came to a stop, and Tigo, 

 looking out of his peep-hole, saw the 

 Spider Woman, who invited him to enter 

 her house. The Spider Woman is a 

 great personage in the Hopi faith. She 

 it is who catches the clouds into her web 

 in the heavens and makes the rain possi- 

 ble. Tigo accepted her invitation and 

 she gave him the power of invisibility. 



She led him to descend still lower into 

 the earth, until he reached the Snake- 

 Antelope people. Here he was received 

 with great cordiality and learned all the 

 necessary ceremonies for making the 

 rain-clouds come and go, the ripening 

 winds to blow, and order the coming and 

 going of the animals. 



"With words of affection the chief of 

 the Snake-Antelope clan gave him many 

 things from both the kivas, and also two 

 maidens, both of whom knew the snake- 

 bite charm liquid, and instructed him 

 that one was to be his wife and one the 

 wife of his brother, to whom he must 

 bring her in safety. Then, finally, he 

 gave him the sacred standard," 'the ti- 

 poni,' and told him that it must be re- 

 vered and protected, and in all his 

 prayers and worship it must be at the 

 head of his altar, or his words would 

 not reach 'Those Above.' 



"Tigo now started on his homeward 

 journey, and when he reached the Spider 



