4. The fourth name given by Wa-xthi´-zhi (Noⁿ-be´-wa-koⁿ-da,
Mysterious-hand) does not appear in any of the wi´-gi-es given either
by himself or by Wa-ṭse´-moⁿ-iⁿ. However, the Mysterious-hand is spoken
of by both of these men in their conversations concerning the rites,
and is referred to in some of the wi´-gi-es. (See 36th Ann. Rept.,
p. 230, lines 323 to 340.) The story of the Mysterious-hand, as told
colloquially, is that when the people came from the sky to the earth
they had no weapons, but they killed animals by moistening the index
finger of the right hand with saliva and pointing it at them. This name
is also bestowed ceremonially.
WA-ṬSE´-MO^N-I^N
1. Miⁿ´-ṭse-xi, Sacred-robe. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 235,
line 510.)
2. Noⁿ´-ḳa-dsi-wiⁿ, Spine-woman. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p.
235, line 512.)
3. Ṭse´-p̣a´-ga-xe, Buffalo-head-maker. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer.
Ethn., p. 235, line 518.)
4. Moⁿ´-hiⁿ-zhu-dse, Red-knife. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p.
237, line 573.)
5. Moⁿ´-hiⁿ-hoⁿ-ga, Sacred-knife. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p.
237, line 576.)
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MOTHER
At the close of the ceremony of blessing the child by the various
gentes officiating, the Sho´-ḳa conducts the mother to a seat prepared
for her in front of the Xo´-ḳa, who gives her special instructions in
the ceremonies to be observed by her to complete the child-naming
rite. Between the two is spread a buffalo robe which had been decorated
with certain symbolic designs. (Fig. 2.) This formal talk to the mother
is called “Ḳi´-noⁿ U-tha-ge,” Telling of the Symbolic Painting. Extra
fees are required for the special instruction, which, with the help of
friends and relatives, the mother is enabled to pay.
[Illustration:
FIG. 2.—Symbolic robe prepared for children]
If the mother is skilled with her awl and thread in ornamental work she
would decorate with porcupine quills the symbolic robe to be used in
this special ceremony; if not skilled, she would content herself with
painting the symbolic designs on the robe.
When the robe has been spread before the Xo´-ḳa he begins to talk, as
follows:
Wi-ṭsi-ni-e´, My daughter-in-law, I see you have brought with you a
robe which you have dressed and decorated for the comfort of your
little one. It is a sacred robe which should be put to use with proper
ceremony. This ceremony you will observe for a period of four days,
during which you will paint red the parting or your hair. It will be
a sign that you appeal for a long and fruitful life for yourself and
child, to the god of day whose path lies over the middle of the earth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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