14 THE MYTHOLOGY OF THE WICHITA. 
Immediately after burial the spirit of the dead was supposed to 
rise and ascend toward the east to Spirit-Land, the rank of the spirit in 
Spirit-Land being determined by that held by ‘him while on earth. 
To take one’s own life was held to ‘be the most dishonorable form 
of death, and the spirit of the suicide was supposed to wander just 
outside the entrance of Spirit-Land, not being able to enter and share 
in the pleasures of the village. 
Between the time of the death and the burial the parents and friends 
continued to mourn, going about with uncombed hair and in ragged 
clothing. In the village no one was heard to sing or give evidence of 
joyfulness, and if the children were noisy they were hushed into silence. 
This continued for four days after the burial. On the morning of the 
fourth day a certain individual of the village, who must be of good 
character, informed the mourners that they must watch for them. He 
then selected two or three additional individuals of good character, and 
together they entered the lodge of the mourners, bearing a pipe and a 
wooden bowl. The inhabitants of the village had already been notified 
of the coming event and thad gathered outside. As they entered the 
lodge the leader spread a robe on the ground, upon which he placed 
the mourners. Lighting the pipe he handed it to the father or next of 
male kin, and said: “I have come to tell you this. I have come to 
tell you to stop mourning. You have mourned long enough. Take 
my pipe and smoke. Thus you will signify that you have ceased 
to mourn.” ‘he pipe was passed to all the mourners, the father 
or the brother first. All of them smoked, thus signifying their assent, 
whereupon the leader turned to the people and told them that the 
mourners had accepted the pipe. He again talked to the mourners: 
“Now I want you to tell me what you have in your heart, to say how © 
you feel. I want you to tell me that since you have smoked, the people 
in the camp may be allowed to sing and dance and be happy as here- 
tofore; that you will release the camp from mourning; and that you 
yourselves will eat, enjoy life, and that we may enjoy life with you 
again.” After giving their assent to this the whole village mourned 
for a few moments, then the leader wiped the tears from the mourners, 
told them to cease weeping, and took the bowl of water and washed 
their faces. Now followed the mourning feast, provided by friends 
of the mourners, after which the village returned to its normal con- 
dition. In case the deceased belonged to one of the singing societies, 
the members now at once went to the lodge of one of their number, 
sang four songs, mourned for a few minutes and then dispersed to 
their homes, and the entire village assumed its normal condition. 
