Ceremonial of Hasjelti Dailjis and Mythical Sand Painting of the Navajo Indians — John Shaqi
Ceremonial of Hasjelti Dailjis and Mythical Sand Painting of the Navajo IndiansStevenson, James
Religion
Ceremonial of Hasjelti Dailjis and Mythical Sand Painting of the Navajo Indians
Stevenson, James
Navajo Indians -- Rites and ceremonies
manner of holding the husk has been previously described. The man with
painted face received the husk from the theurgist, who returned to his
seat and at once opened the chant with the rattle. At the close of the
chant the holder of the husk touched the soles of the feet, palms, etc.,
of the invalid with it and left the lodge. This precious parcel was taken
three miles distant and deposited in a canyon near a spring where there is
a luxuriant growth of reeds. Prayers were offered by the depositor for
health, rain, food, and good fortune to all. Only the theurgist and his
attendants and a few of the near relatives of the invalid were present at
this ceremony.
[Illustration]
SECOND CEREMONY.
The sweat-house priest preceded the invalid and song-priest, the latter
carrying his medicine basket, wands, etc. The hot stones and pine boughs
were put into the sweat house; meal was sprinkled around the west base and
the wands deposited, as before described, by the song-priest. Three white
and black striped blankets were placed over the entrance, one upon the
other, and upon these were a buckskin and several folds of white muslin.
An attendant brought a large medicine bowl half filled with pine needles;
water was poured upon these; a small earthen bowl and a gourd containing
water were placed before the song-priest, who put into the bowl chopped
sage, over which he sprinkled dried foods reduced to powder; a small
quantity of meal was also sprinkled into the gourd and bowl. The song then
began. A small pine bough was laid to the right of the entrance of the
sweat house. The opening of the song was a call upon the gods to impart to
the medicine power to complete the cure of the invalid and to make all
people well, and to have a wet and good ground all over the earth. This
song is specially addressed to Toneennili, the water sprinkler.
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