Navaho Legends

by Unknown

TEXTS AND INTERLINEAR TRANSLATIONS.

274. ASSEVERATION OF TORLINO (IN PART).

Naestsán Earth (Woman Horizontal), bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Yádĭlyĭl Sky (dark above), bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Hayolkál Dawn, bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Nahotsói Evening (Land of Horizontal Yellow), bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Nahodotlĭ′zi Blue sky (Land or Place of Horizontal Blue), bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Tsalyél Darkness, bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Tsóhanoai Sun, bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

Si sĭzíni In me it stands, beyastíʻyi with me it talks, bayántsĭn. for it I am ashamed.

275. BEGINNING OF ORIGIN LEGEND.

Toʻbĭlhaskĭ′digi Water with Hill Central in haádze to the east lakaígo white taʻĭ′ndĭlto; up rose; tsin day dzilínla they thought it tsĭ′ni. they say. Sadaádze To the south dotlĭ′zgo blue taʻĭ′ndilto; up rose; tábĭtsin still their day ĭndzĭlté they went around tsĭ′ni. they say. Inádze To the west lĭtsógo yellow taʻĭ′ndilto; up rose; ininála evening always áʻle it showed tsĭ′ni. they say. Akógo Then náhokosdze to the north dĭlyĭ′lgo dark taʻĭ′ndilto; up rose; akógo then dazĭntsá they lay down dádzĭlkos they slept tsĭ′ni. they say.

Toʻbĭlhaskĭ′di Water with Hill Central toʻaltsáhazlin; water flowed from in different directions; haádze to the east la one ilín, flowed, sadaágo at the south la one ilín, flowed, la one inádze to the west ilín flowed tsĭ′ni. they say. Haádze To the east ilínigi where it flowed ban its border kéhodzĭti; place where they dwelt; sadaádze to the south ĕltóʻ; also; inádze to the west ĕltóʻ also ban its border kéhodzĭti place where they dwelt tsĭ′ni. they say.

Haádze To the east Tan Corn holgé; a place called; sadaádze to the south Nahodoóla Nahodoóla holgé; a place called; inádze to the west Lókatsosakád Reed Great Standing holgé. a place called. Haádze To the east Ăsalái Pot One holgé; a place called; sadaádze to the south Toʻhádzĭtĭl Water They Come for Often holgé; a place called; inádze to the west Dsĭllĭtsíbehogán Mountain Red Made of House holgé. a place called. Haádze To the east Léyahogan Earth under House holgé; a place called; sadaádze to the south Tsĭltsĭ′ntha Aromatic Sumac among holgé; a place called; inádze to the west Tseʻlĭtsíbehogán Rock Red Made of House holgé. a place called.

Holatsí Ants Dĭlyĭ′le Dark kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Holatsí Ants Lĭtsí Red kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Tanĭlaí Dragon-flies kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Tsaltsá (Yellow beetles) kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Woĭntlĭ′zi Beetles (?) hard kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Tseʻyoáli Stone carriers (beetles) kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Kĭnlĭ′zĭn Bugs black (beetles) kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Maitsán Coyote-dung (beetles) kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Andĭ′ta Besides Tsápani Bats kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Totsóʻ (White-faced beetles) kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Wonĭstsídi Locusts kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Wonĭstsídi Locusts Kaí White kéhati lived ĭnté. there. Nakidátago Twelve dĭnéʻ people aísi these dezdél. started (in life).

Haádze To the east hahóse extended toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean tsĭ′ni; they say; Sadaádze to the south toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean tsĭ′ni; they say; inádze to the west toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean tsĭ′ni; they say; náhokosdze to the north toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean tsĭ′ni. they say. Haádze To the east toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean bígi within Tiéholtsodi Tiéholtsodi sitín lay tsĭ′ni. they say. Natáni Chief ĭnlíngo; he was; hanantáï Chief of the people tsĭ′ni. they say. Sadaádze To the south toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean bígi within Thaltláhale Blue Heron sitín lay tsĭ′ni. they say. Natáni Chief ĭnlin′go; he was; hanantáï chief of the people tsĭ′ni. they say. Inádze To the west toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean bígi within Tsal Frog sitín lay tsĭ′ni. they say. Natáni Chief ĭnlíngo; he was; hanantáï chief of the people tsĭ′ni. they say. Náhokosdze To the north toʻsĭgĭ′n ocean bígi within Idníʻdsĭlkai Thunder Mountain White sitín lay tsĭ′ni; they say; hanantáï chief of the people tsĭ′ni. they say.

Tígi In this itégo way hazágo they quarrelled kédahatsitigo; around where they lived; ĕ′hyidelnago with one another ahádaztĭlge they committed adultery tsĭ′ni. they say. Ĕ′hyidelnago With one another estsáni women altsan several tatsĭkíd committed crime tsĭ′ni. they say. Yúwe To banish it tséhalni they failed tsĭ′ni. they say. Tiéholtsodi Tiéholtsodi haádze to the east “Hatégola “In what way doléla? shall we act? Hwehéya Their land holdáʻodakaʻla.” the place they dislike.” Sadaádze To the south Thaltláhale Blue Heron halní spoke to them tsĭ′ni. they say. Inádze To the west “Kạt “Now si I (say) dokoné not here kehadzitídolel,” shall they dwell,” Tsal Frog hatsí he said Natáni Chief ĭnlĭ′ni, he was, hatsí he said tsĭ′ni. they say. Náhokosdze To the north Idníʻdsĭlkai Thunder Mountain White “Taʻkadáʻ “Quickly hádzeta elsewhere dahízdĭnolidi” they must depart” tsĭ′ni. they say.

Haádze To the east Tiéholtsodi Tiéholtsodi ahánadazdeyago when again they committed adultery alkinatsidzé among themselves again fought tohatsí nothing he said tsĭ′ni. they say. Sadaádze To the south Thaltláhale Blue Heron tatohanantsída again said nothing to them tsĭ′ni. they say. Inádze To the west Tsal Frog natáni chief ĭnlĭnéni he formerly was tatohanantsída again said nothing to them tsĭ′ni. they say. Náhokosdze To the north Idníʻdsĭlkai Thunder Mountain White tatohanantsída again said nothing to them tsĭ′ni. they say. Tóbĭltahozondala Not with pleasant ways, one tsĭ′ni. they say.

Tin Four naikálago again ends of nights takonáhotsa again the same happened tsĭ′ni. they say. Sadaádze To the south kéhodzĭtini the dwellers takonátsidza did the same again tsĭ′ni; they say; kinatsidzé again they fought tsĭ′ni. they say. Haádze To the east la one estsánigo woman la one dĭnégo man yahatsaáz tried to enter two together ĭnté; there; tsehodĭnĕltsa, they were driven tsĭ′ni. they say. Sadaádze To the south Thaltláhale Blue Heron sitínedze to where he lay yahanátsataz again they tried to enter two together ĭnté; there; tsenáhodĭnĕltsa again they were driven out tsĭ′ni. they say. Inádze To the west Tsal Frog natáni chief ĭnlĭ′nedze to where he was yahanátsataz again they tried to enter two together ĭnté; there; tsenáhodĭnĕltsa again they were driven out tsĭ′ni. they say. Náhokosdze To the north tsĕnáhodĭnĕltsa again they were driven out. “Tóta “Not níʻyila. one of you. Dainokáʻ Keep on going hádzeta,” elsewhere,” hoʻdoní thus he spoke tsĭ′ni. they say. Andĭ′ta Besides aibĭtlé the same night Nahodoóla Nahodoóla baĭ′ndadzitigo they discussed it iská′ the end of the night tatoastetsáda they did not decide tsĭ′ni. they say. Naʻdéyayilkágo After dawn Tiéholtsodi Tiéholtsodi hayálti began to talk tsĭ′ni. they say. “Todadotsáda “You pay no attention tsĭníʻyitsinyasti all I said to you hádis anywhere tadidotsíl you will disobey; níʻyilaʻ all of you hádzeta elsewhere tanelída; must go; koné here tóta not tiʻ this ni earth dasakádgi upon stand in kạt now tóta;” not;” hodoní thus he said tsĭ′ni. they say.

Estsánigo Among the women tin four iskágo ends of nights, till basahatsilágo they talked about it tsĭ′ni. they say. Tín Four iskáʻ ends of nights apĭ′nigo in the morning názditse as they were rising ĭnté there tsĭ′ni, they say, haádze to the east hatísi something lakáigo white taigánil it appeared tsĭ′ni; they say; andĭ′ta besides sadaádze to the south ĕltóʻ also taigánil it appeared tsĭ′ni; they say; naakoné again here inádze to the west ĕltóʻ also taigánil it appeared tsĭ′ni; they say; andĭ′ta besides náhokosdze to the north ĕltóʻ also taigánil it appeared tsĭ′ni. they say. Dsĭl Mountains ahyénaʻaʻ rising up around náhalĭni like silín it stretched tsĭ′ni; they say; tatobĭtáʻhazani. without opening. Toʻahyéĭntsil Water all around tsĭ′ni; they say; toʻtobĭtyĭó, water not to be crossed, tatódĭzaatego not to be climbed ahyéĭntsĭlin flowed all around tsĭ′ni. they say. Táako At once tahadĭltél they started tsĭ′ni. they say.

Ahyéĭltégo They went around in circles nihiziĭlté thus they went tsĭ′ni; they say; yabiĭlté they went to the sky tsĭ′ni. they say. Dĭlkógo. It was smooth. Táado Thence tan down ĭndazdéti they looked tsĭ′ni; they say; toʻ water ĭ′ndadĭltlayengi; where it had risen; toʻ water toahotéhida nothing else there tsĭ′ni. they say. Nité There kondé from here la one haznolán stuck out tsĭ′ni; they say; tsi head dotlĭ′z blue léi; it had; hatsotsí he called to them tsĭ′ni; they say; “Kónne,” “In here,” tsĭné, he said, “haádzego “to the eastward ahótsala” a hole” tsĭ′ni. they say. Akónne In here ooĭlté they went entering tsĭ′ni; they say; bĭnakáʻ through it ĭlté they went tsĭ′ni they say; bagándze to the upper surface hasté they came out tsĭ′ni. they say. Dotlĭ′zeni The blue one Hastsósidĭneʻ Swallow People ati′nla belonged to tsĭ′ni. they say. Hastsósidĭneʻ Swallow People kéhatil lived there tsĭ′ni. they say. Hogánin The houses togólgo rough (lumpy) naznĭ′l, scattered around, tsĭ′ni; they say; háhosiʻ a great many yiláʻ were placed tsĭ′ni. they say. Bĭlathádze Toward their tops dahatsózgo; they tapered; áde from that yahadáhaztsaʻ gave entrance an opening tsĭ′ni. they say. Háhosiʻ A great many dĭnéʻ people altsí collected kotgá together tsĭ′ni. they say. Háalahazlín They crowded together tsĭ′ni. they say.

276. SONG OF ESTSÁNATLEHI.

Aieneyá. (No meaning.)

Eó eá aiá ahèea aía eeeaía ainá. (A meaningless prelude twice repeated.)

I.

1. Yéinaĕzgạni Nayénĕzgạni saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

2. Kạt Now Bĭtéelgĕti Téelgĕt saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

3. Tsĭ′da Truly la one bĭdzái his lung saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

4. Dĭnéʻ People nahostlĭ′di. are restored. Saʻ For me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

Haía aína aiyéya aína. (Meaningless refrain after each stanza.)

II.

1. Kạt Now Toʻbadzĭstsíni Toʻbadzĭstsíni saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

2. Tsĕninaholĭ′si Tseʻnáhale saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

3. Tsĭ′da Truly la one bĭtái, his wing, saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

4. Dĭnéʻ People nahostlĭ′di. are restored. Saʻ For me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

III.

1. Kạt Now Léyaneyani Léyaneyani saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

2. Tseʻtahotsĭltáʻli Tseʻtahotsĭltáʻli saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

3. Tsĭ′da Truly bĭtlapĭ′le his side-lock saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

4. Dĭnéʻ People nahostlĭ′di. are restored. Saʻ For me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

IV.

1. Kạt Now Tsówenatlehi Tsówenatlehi saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

2. Bĭnáye Bĭnáye Tsagáni Aháni saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

3. Tsĭ′da Truly la one bĭnái his eye saʻ for me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

4. Dĭnéʻ People nahostlĭ′di. are restored. Saʻ For me niyĭ′nigi, he brings, yeyeyéna. (meaningless.)

In line 1, stanza I., Nayénĕzgạni is changed to Yéinaĕzgạni, and in line 1, stanza IV., Bĭnáye Aháni is changed to Bĭnáye Tsagáni. Nahostlĭ′di in the last line of each stanza is rendered here “restored,” but the more exact meaning is, not that the original people are called back to life, but that others are given in place of them. This verb is used if a man steals a horse and gives another horse as restitution for the one he stole.

277. SONG OF NAYÉNĔZGẠNI (NAYÉNĔZGẠNI BĬGĬ′N).

I.

Atsé Atsé Estsán Estsán Nayénĕzgạni Nayénĕzgạni yihaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Bĭtéelgĕti Téelgĕt yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Nayé Anáye holóde from where they are yihaholnĭ′z. began to tell her of.

II.

Estsánatlehi Estsánatlehi Toʻbadzĭstsíni Toʻbadzĭstsíni yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Tseʻnahalési Tséʻnahale yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Nayé Anáye holóde from where they are yilhaholnĭ′z. began to tell her of.

III.

Atsé Atsé Estsán Estsán Léyaneyani Léyaneyani yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Tseʻtahotsĭltáʻli Tseʻtahotsĭltáʻli yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Nayé Anáye holóde from where they are yilhaholnĭ′z. began to tell her of.

IV.

Estsánatlehi Estsánatlehi Tsówenatlehi Tsówenatlehi yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Bĭnáye Bĭnáye Tsagáni Aháni yilhaholnĭ′z, began to tell her of,

Nayé Anáye holóde from where they are yilhaholnĭ′z. began to tell her of.

Prelude, refrain, and meaningless syllables are omitted from this text.

278. SONG OF NAYÉNĔZGẠNI.

I.

Kạt Now Nayénĕzgạni Slayer of the Alien Gods koanígo thus he says dĭgíni, a holy one,

Kạt Now Tsóhanoai The Sun koanígo, thus he says,

Dĭgĭ′n Holy yikáʻ thereon sĭzíni he stands koanígo. thus he says.

II.

Kạt Now Toʻbadzĭstsíni Child of the Water koanígo thus he says dĭgíni, a holy one,

Kạt Now Kléhanoai The Moon koanígo, thus he says,

Dĭgĭ′n Holy yikáʻ thereon holési he goes forth koanígo. thus he says.

III.

Kạt Now Léyaneyani Reared under the Earth koanígo thus he says dĭgíni, a holy one,

Kạt Now Tsóhanoai The Sun koanígo, thus he says,

Dĭgĭ′n Holy yikáʻ thereon sĭzíni he stands koanígo. thus he says.

IV.

Kạt Now Tsówenatlehi Changing Grandchild koanígo thus he says dĭgíni, a holy one,

Kạt Now Kléhanoai The Moon koanígo, thus he says,

Dĭgĭ′n Holy yikáʻ thereon holési he goes forth koanígo. thus he says.

Meaningless parts omitted. Koanígo is from kónigo, which is the prose form.

279. SONG OF NAYÉNĔZGẠNI.

I.

Kạt Now Yénaezgạni Slayer of the Alien Gods (Nayénĕzgạni) la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Ya Sky benikásde through from la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds tĭ′snĭsad in every direction lée. (no meaning).

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds dígini holy, divine lée. (no meaning).

II.

Kạt Now Toʻbadzĭstsíni Child of the Water la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Toʻ Water benikásde through from la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds tĭ′snĭsad in every direction lée. (no meaning).

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds dígini divine lée. (no meaning).

III.

Kạt Now Léyaneyani Reared under the Ground la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Niʻ Earth benikásde through from la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Bíniye His voice tsíye tĭ sounds ′snĭsad in every direction lée. (no meaning).

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds dígini divine lée. (no meaning).

IV.

Kạt Now Tsówenatlehi Changing Grandchild la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Kos Clouds benikásde through from la one dĭsĭtsáya. I hear him.

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds tĭ′snĭsad in every direction lée. (no meaning).

Bíniye His voice tsíye sounds dígini divine lée. (no meaning).

Nayénĕzgạni changed to Yénaezgạni; bĭne (his voice) changed to bíniye; dĭgĭ′n changed to dígini, for poetic reasons. Preludes and refrains omitted.

280. A SONG OF NAYÉNĔZGẠNI.

I.

Kạt Now Nayénĕzgạni Slayer of the Alien Gods nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives dĭlyĭ′li dark behogánla a house made of ásde from nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives dĭlyĭ′li dark daʻhoníhe dangle high ásde from nahaníya. he arrives.

Nizáza Your treasures dĭnĭgíni, you holy one, síka for my sake not. tóta.

II.

Kạt Now Toʻbadzĭstsíni Child of the Water nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives dolgási serrate behogánla a house made of ásde from nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives dolgási serrate daʻhoníhe dangle high ásde from nahaníya. he arrives.

Nizáza Your treasures dĭnĭgíni, you holy one, síka for my sake not. tóta.

III.

Kạt Now Léyaneyani Reared under the Earth nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives althasaí of all kinds behogánla a house made of ásde from nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives althasaí of all kinds daʻhoníhe dangle high ásde from nahaníya. he arrives.

Nizáza Your treasures dĭnĭgíni, you holy one, síka for my sake tóta. not.

IV.

Kạt Now Tsówenatlehi Changing Grandchild nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives lĭtsói yellow behogánla yellow a house made of ásde from nahaníya, he arrives,

Pes Knives lĭtsói yellow daʻhoníhe dangle high ásde from nahaníya. he arrives.

Nizáza Your treasures dĭnĭgíni, you holy one, síka for my sake tóta. not.

In endeavoring to explain the meaning of this song, the singer related that Nayénĕzgạni said to his mother, “You are the divine one, not I.” She replied, “No, you are the divine one.” They were exchanging compliments. Then he said, “Not for my sake, but for yours, were these treasures (weapons, etc.) given by the Sun. They are yours.” For the meaning of bĭzá (his treasure), see [note 246]. Nizá or nĭ′za means your treasure; the last syllable is here repeated perhaps as a poetic plural. The houses of knives are said to be the different chambers in the house of the Sun. Meaningless syllables are omitted in this text.

281. SONG OF THE SUN.

I.

Kạt Now Nayénĕzgạni Slayer of the Alien Gods sĭdeyáïye, I come (or approach) with,

Pes Knives dĭlyĭ′li dark behogánde from house made of sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives dĭlyĭ′li dark daʻhoníde from where they dangle high sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Saʻ For me alíli an implement of the rites sĭdeyáïye, I come with, aníhoyéle to you dreadful aineyáhi ainé. (no meaning).

II.

Kạt Now Toʻbadzĭstsíni Child of the Water sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives dolgási[264] serrate behogánde from house made of sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives dolgási serrate daʻhoníde from where they dangle high sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Saʻ For me alíli an implement of the rites sĭdeyáïye, I come with, anídĭgĭnle to you sacred (divine, holy) aineyáhi ainé. (no meaning).

III.

Kạt Now Léyaneyani Reared Beneath the Earth, sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives althasaí of all kinds behogánde from house made of sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives althasaí of all kinds daʻhoníde from where they dangle high sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Saʻ For me alíli an implement of the rites sĭdeyáïye, I come with, aníhoyéle, to you dreadful, aineyáhi ainé. (no meaning).

IV.

Kạt Now Tsówenatlehi Changing Grandchild sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives lĭtsói yellow behogánde from the house made of sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Pes Knives lĭtsói yellow daʻhoníde from where they dangle high sĭdeyáïye, I come with,

Saʻ For me alíli an implement of the rites sĭdeyáïye, I come with, anídĭgĭnle to you sacred aineyáhi ainé. (no meaning.)

Alíl or alíli means a show, dance, or other single exhibition of the rites (see [fig. 30]). It also means a wand or other sacred implement used in the rites. It is thought that the colored hoops for raising a storm, described in [par. 355], are the alíli referred to in this song.

282. SONG OF THE SUN.

I.

Sĭníʻ My mind eé deyá approaches, aá, deyá approaches, aá,

Tsínhanoai The Sun God eé deyá approaches, aá,

Niʻnĭnélaʻ Border of the Earth eé deyá approaches, aá,

Estsánatlesi Estsánatlehi bigáni her house yúnidze toward the hearth deyá approaches, aá,

Sána In old age nagái walking eé deyá approaches, aá,

Bĭké His trail hozóni beautiful eé deyá approaches. aá.

Sĭníʻ My mind eé deyá approaches, aá, deyá approaches. aá.

II.

Sĭníʻ My mind eé deyá approaches, aá, deyá approaches, aá,

Kléhanoai The Moon God eé deyá approaches, aá,

Niʻnĭnélaʻ Border of the Earth eé deyá approaches, aá,

Yolkaí Yolkaí Estsán Estsán bigáni her house yúnidze toward the hearth deyá approaches, aá,

Sána In old age nagái walking eé deyá approaches, aá,

Bĭké His trail hozóni beautiful eé deyá approaches. aá.

Sĭníʻ My mind eé deyá approaches, aá deyá approaches. aá.

Yúni, here translated hearth, is a certain part of the floor of the Navaho lodge. Yúnidze means in the direction of the yúni.

The expressions Sána nagái and Bĭké hozóni appear in many songs and prayers, and are always thus united. Their literal translation is as given above; but they are equivalent to saying, “Long life and happiness;” as part of a prayer, they are a supplication for a long and happy life. Hozóni means, primarily, terrestrially beautiful; but it means also happy, happily, or, in a certain sense, good.

Estsánatlehi is often called, in song, Estsánatlesi, and Tsóhanoai is often called (apparently with greater propriety) Tsínhanoai. Sĭníʻ = Sĭ′ni.

The syllables not translated are meaningless.

283. SIGNIFICANT WORDS OF SONGS OF THE LOG, FIRST SET.

First Song:— Tsĭn Tree (log, stick) nĭzóni beautiful saʻ for me niĭ′nitha. they fell.

Second Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful saʻ for me haídile. they prepare or trim.

Third Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful saʻ for me haiyĭdílaʻ. they have prepared.

Fourth Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful sĭláʻ with me yidĭtíʻyiʻ. they carry.

Fifth Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful sĭláʻ with me tháiyiyitin. they put in the water.

The word for beautiful is usually pronounced ĭnzóni, not nĭzóni as above.

284. SIGNIFICANT WORDS OF SONGS OF THE LOG, SECOND SET.

First Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful sĭláʻ with me neyĭlgóʻ. they push.

Second Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful sĭláʻ with me yidisél. floats.

Third Song:— Tsĭn Tree nĭzóni beautiful sĭláʻ with me yiyilól. moves floating.

285. WORDS OF THE EAGLE.

Ahaláni Greeting, siáz! my child! Eʻyéhe Thanks, siáz! my child! Nĭtsĭ′li Your younger brother ta down toadainĭnĭ′lda, you did not throw, Donikí. Donikí.

286. SONG OF THE EAGLES.—A SONG OF THE BEAD CHANT.

I.

Aóoóo aiá-hená an an anaié anaié. (Meaningless prelude.)

Kinnakíye Kinnakíye yéye saaíyista there he sits, an an,

Hayáaaá When he rises, yéye saaíyista there he sits, an an,

Yiltsá We shall see, aá yéye saaíyista there he sits, an an,

Talpíl He will flap, aá yéye saaíyista there he sits. an an.

Aiadoséye aiadoséye an an an ohaneyé. (Meaningless refrain.)

Kinnakíye = Kinníki. The vocables not translated have no meaning now.

287. SONG OF THE ASCENSION.

I.

Aió éo éo éo he, éo óo éo éo he. (Meaningless prelude.)

1. Tsĭ′natan Plant of corn alkaí white, eé eé,

2. Bidági Its ear sticks up in tso great ínyan to eat. eé.

3. Nantá Stay down. anán tosé tosé.

Tosé eyé eyé.

II.

(Repeat prelude as in stanza I.)

1. Tsĭ′natan Plant of corn dotlĭ′z blue, eé eé,

2. Bidági Its ear sticks up in tso great ínyan to eat. eé.

3. Nantá Stay down. anán tosé tosé.

(Repeat refrain as in stanza I.)

III.

(Repeat prelude.)

1. Tsĭ′natan Plant of corn altsói yellow, eé eé,

2. Bidági Its ear sticks up in tso great ínyan to eat. eé.

3. Nantá Stay down. anán tosé tosé.

(Repeat refrain.)

IV.

(Repeat prelude.)

1. Tsĭ′nataa Plant of corn zĭ′ni black, eé eé,

2. Bidági Its ear sticks up in tso great ínyan to eat. eé.

3. Nantá Stay down. anán tosé tosé.

(Repeat refrain.)

V.

(Repeat prelude.)

1. Tsĭ′nat Plant of corn althasaí all kinds or colors, eé eé,

2. Bidági Its ear sticks up in tso great ínyan to eat. eé.

3. Nantá Stay down. anán tosé tosé.

(Repeat refrain.)

VI.

(Repeat prelude.)

1. Tsĭ′natan Plant of corn dĭtsól round (nubbin), eé eé,

2. Bidági Its ear sticks up in tso great ínyan to eat. eé.

3. Nantá Stay down. anán tosé tosé.

(Repeat refrain.)

Great changes are made in some of the words in this song for prosodic reasons. Tsĭ′natan, tsĭ′nataa, and tsĭ′nat (1st lines) are all from tsĭl (plant) and natán (corn), Bidági (2d lines) is from bidí (its ear), iáʻ (it sticks up), and gi (in). Alkaí (line 1, stanza I.) = lakaí. Altsói (line 1, stanza III.) = lĭtsói.

288. PRAYER OF FIRST DANCERS FROM THE CEREMONY OF THE NIGHT CHANT.

1. Tseʻgíhigi, Tseʻgíhi in

2. Hayolkál Dawn behogángi, made of house in,

3. Nahotsói Evening twilight behogángi, made of house in,

4. Kósdĭlyĭl Cloud dark behogángi, made of house in,

5. Nĭltsabaká Rain male behogángi, made of house in,

6. Áʻdĭlyĭl Mist dark behogángi, made of house in,

7. Nĭltsabaád Rain female behogángi, made of house in,

8. Thaditín Pollen behogángi, made of house in,

9. Anĭltáni Grasshoppers behogángi, made of house in,

10. Áʻdĭlyĭl Mist dark dadĭnlági, at the door,

11. Natsílĭt Rainbow bĭkedzétin, his trail the road,

12. Atsĭniklĭ′si Zigzag lightning yíki on it dasizíni, high stands,

13. Nĭltsabaká Rain male yíki on it dasizíni, high stands,

14. Hastsébaka, Deity male,

15. Kósdĭlyĭl Cloud dark nĭkégo your moccasins nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

16. Kósdĭlyĭl Cloud dark nĭsklégo your leggings nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

17. Kósdĭlyĭl Cloud dark niégo your shirt nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

18. Kósdĭlyĭl Cloud dark nĭtságo your headdress nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

19. Kósdĭlyĭl Cloud dark bininĭnlágo your mind enveloping nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

20. Nĭkĭ′dze You above idníʻdĭlyĭl thunder dark dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

21. Kosistsín Cloud having a shape bikégo at feet dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

22. Ĭntsekádo Your head over kósdĭlyĭl cloud dark beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

23. Ĭntsekádo Your head over nĭltsabaká rain male beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

24. Ĭntsekádo Your head over áʻdĭlyĭl mist dark beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

25. Ĭntsekádo Your head over nĭltsabaád rain female beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

26. Ĭntsekádo Your head over atsĭniklĭ′si zigzag lightning hadahatĭlgo high out flung dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

27. Ĭntsekádo Your head over natsílĭt rainbow adahazlágo high hanging dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

28. Nĭtaʻlatháʻdo Your wings on ends of kósdĭlyĭl cloud dark beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

29. Nĭtaʻlatháʻdo Your wings on ends of nĭltsabaká rain male beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

30. Nĭtaʻlatháʻdo Your wings on ends of áʻdĭlyĭl mist dark beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

31. Nĭtaʻlatháʻdo Your wings on ends of nĭltsabaád rain female beatsadasyélgo made of far darkness dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

32. Nĭtaʻlatháʻdo Your wings on ends of atsĭniklĭ′si zigzag lightning hadahatĭ′lgo high out flung dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

33. Nĭtaʻlatháʻdo Your wings on ends of natsílĭt rainbow adahazlágo high hanging dahitágo high flying nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

34. Kósdĭlyĭl, Cloud dark, nĭltsabaká, rain male, áʻdĭlyĭl, mist dark, nĭltsabaád rain female bil with it benatsidasyélgo made of near darkness nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

35. Niʻgidasyél On the earth darkness nahaíniyaʻ. come to us.

36. Aíbe With the same natátso great corn nĭtadeél floating over biági at bottom tálawus foam yiltoʻlín with water flowing esĭ′nosĭn. that I wish.

37. Nigel Your sacrifice isláʻ. I have made.

38. Nadé For you smoke hiláʻ. I have prepared.

39. Sĭké My feet saádĭtlil. for me restore (as they were).

40. Sĭtsát My legs saádĭtlil. for me restore.

41. Sĭtsís My body saádĭtlil. for me restore.

42. Sĭ′ni My mind saádĭtlil. for me restore.

43. Sĭné My voice saádĭtlil. for me restore.

44. Ádĭstsin This day nalíl your spell saádilel. for me take out.

45. Ádĭstsin This day nalíl your spell saanĭ′nlaʻ. for me remove (take away).

46. Sĭtsádze Away from me tahĭ′ndĭnlaʻ. you have taken it.

47. Nĭzágo Far off sĭtsaʻ from me nénlaʻ. it is taken.

48. Nĭzágo Far off nastlín. you have done it.

49. Hozógo Happily (in a way of beauty) nadedestál. I recover.

50. Hozógo Happily sĭtáhadĭnokél. my interior becomes cool.

51. Hozógo Happily sĭná my eyes, nahodotlél. I regain (the power of).

52. Hozógo Happily sĭtsé my head dĭnokél. becomes cool.

53. Hozógo Happily sĭtsát my limbs nahodotlél. I regain.

54. Hozógo Happily nadedĕstsíl. again I hear.

55. Hozógo Happily sáhadadoltóʻ. for me it is taken off.

56. Hozógo Happily nasádo. I walk.

57. Tosohododelnígo Impervious to pain nasádo. I walk.

58. Sĭtáhago My interior sólago light nasádo. I walk.

59. Sanáʻ My feelings nĭslíngo lively nasádo. I walk.

60. Hozógo Happily (in terrestrial beauty) kósdĭlyĭl clouds dark senahotlédo. I desire (in abundance).

61. Hozógo Happily áʻdĭlyĭl mists dark senahotlédo. I desire.

62. Hozógo Happily sedaahuiltyído passing showers senahotlédo. I desire.

63. Hozógo Happily nanisé plants of all kinds senahotlédo. I desire.

64. Hozógo Happily thaditín pollen senahotlédo. I desire.

65. Hozógo Happily datóʻ dew senahotlédo. I desire.

66. Hozógo Happily natálkai corn white yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may (it) come with you.

67. Hozógo Happily natáltsoi corn yellow yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

68. Hozógo Happily natadotlĭ′zi corn blue yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

69. Hozógo Happily nataalthasaí corn of all kinds yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

70. Hozógo Happily nanisé plants of all kinds yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

71. Hozógo Happily yúdi goods althasaí of all kinds yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

72. Hozógo Happily ĭnklĭ′z jewels althasaí of all kinds yasóni good beautiful niʻdahazlágo to the end of the earth niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

73. Tíbe With these niʻyitsĭ′de before you hozógo happily niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

74. Tíbe With these niʻyikéde behind you hozógo happily niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

75. Tíbe With these niʻyiyági below you hozógo happily niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

76. Tíbe With these niʻyikígi above you hozógo happily niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

77. Tíbe With these niʻyinagidáltso all around you hozógo happily niʻyilokaí. may come with you.

78. Tibikégo In this way hozógo happily nahodolál. you accomplish your tasks.

79. Hozógo Happily nastúwin old men taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

80. Hozógo Happily sáni old women taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

81. Hozógo Happily tsĭlké young men taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

82. Hozógo Happily tsĭké young women taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

83. Hozógo Happily asiké boys taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

84. Hozógo Happily atéte girls taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

85. Hozógo Happily altsíni children taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

86. Hozógo Happily ĭntanitaíʻ chiefs taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

87. Hozógo Happily taidoltáʻ scattering in different directions taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

88. Hozógo Happily nitailté getting home taʻnĭshyítĭnolil. they will look at you.

89. Hozógo Happily thaditínke pollen trail etíngo on road nitailtéde. they get home.

90. Hozógo Happily ninádahidoka. may they all get back.

91. Hozógo Happily (or in beauty) nasádo. I walk.

92. Sĭtsĭ′dze Me before toward hozógo happily nasádo. I walk.

93. Sĭkéde Me behind from hozógo happily nasádo. I walk.

94. Siyági Me below in hozógo happily nasádo. I walk.

95. Sĭkĭ′dze Me above toward hozógo happily nasádo. I walk.

96. Sĭná Me around dáltso all hozógo happily nasádo. I walk.

97. Hozóna In happiness (or beauty) again hastlé, it is finished (or done),

98. Hozóna In beauty again hastlé, it is finished,

99. Hozóna In beauty again hastlé, it is finished,

100. Hozóna In beauty again hastlé, it is finished,

FREE TRANSLATION OF PRAYER.

1. In Tseʻgíhi (oh you who dwell!)

2. In the house made of the dawn,

3. In the house made of the evening twilight,

4. In the house made of the dark cloud,

5. In the house made of the he-rain,

6. In the house made of the dark mist,

7. In the house made of the she-rain,

8. In the house made of pollen,

9. In the house made of grasshoppers,

10. Where the dark mist curtains the doorway,

11. The path to which is on the rainbow,

12. Where the zigzag lightning stands high on top,

13. Where the he-rain stands high on top,

14. Oh, male divinity!

15. With your moccasins of dark cloud, come to us.

16. With your leggings of dark cloud, come to us.

17. With your shirt of dark cloud, come to us.

18. With your headdress of dark cloud, come to us.

19. With your mind enveloped in dark cloud, come to us.

20. With the dark thunder above you, come to us soaring.

21. With the shapen cloud at your feet, come to us soaring.

22. With the far darkness made of the dark cloud over your head, come to us soaring.

23. With the far darkness made of the he-rain over your head, come to us soaring.

24. With the far darkness made of the dark mist over your head, come to us soaring.

25. With the far darkness made of the she-rain over your head, come to us soaring.

26. With the zigzag lightning flung out on high over your head, come to us soaring.

27. With the rainbow hanging high over your head, come to us soaring.

28. With the far darkness made of the dark cloud on the ends of your wings, come to us soaring.

29. With the far darkness made of the he-rain on the ends of your wings, come to us soaring.

30. With the far darkness made of the dark mist on the ends of your wings, come to us soaring.

31. With the far darkness made of the she-rain on the ends of your wings, come to us soaring.

32. With the zigzag lightning flung out on high on the ends of your wings, come to us soaring.

33. With the rainbow hanging high on the ends of your wings, come to us soaring.

34. With the near darkness made of the dark cloud, of the he-rain, of the dark mist, and of the she-rain, come to us.

35. With the darkness on the earth, come to us.

36. With these I wish the foam floating on the flowing water over the roots of the great corn.

37. I have made your sacrifice.

38. I have prepared a smoke for you.

39. My feet restore for me.

40. My limbs restore for me.

41. My body restore for me.

42. My mind restore for me.

43. My voice restore for me.

44. To-day, take out your spell for me.

45. To-day, take away your spell for me.

46. Away from me you have taken it.

47. Far off from me it is taken.

48. Far off you have done it.

49. Happily I recover.

50. Happily my interior becomes cool.

51. Happily my eyes regain their power.

52. Happily my head becomes cool.

53. Happily my limbs regain their power.

54. Happily I hear again.

55. Happily for me (the spell) is taken off.

56. Happily I walk.

57. Impervious to pain, I walk.

58. Feeling light within, I walk.

59. With lively feelings, I walk.

60. Happily (or in beauty) abundant dark clouds I desire.

61. Happily abundant dark mists I desire.

62. Happily abundant passing showers I desire.

63. Happily an abundance of vegetation I desire.

64. Happily an abundance of pollen I desire.

65. Happily abundant dew I desire.

66. Happily may fair white corn, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

67. Happily may fair yellow corn, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

68. Happily may fair blue corn, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

69. Happily may fair corn of all kinds, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

70. Happily may fair plants of all kinds, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

71. Happily may fair goods of all kinds, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

72. Happily may fair jewels of all kinds, to the ends of the earth, come with you.

73. With these before you, happily may they come with you.

74. With these behind you, happily may they come with you.

75. With these below you, happily may they come with you.

76. With these above you, happily may they come with you.

77. With these all around you, happily may they come with you.

78. Thus happily you accomplish your tasks.

79. Happily the old men will regard you.

80. Happily the old women will regard you.

81. Happily the young men will regard you.

82. Happily the young women will regard you.

83. Happily the boys will regard you.

84. Happily the girls will regard you.

85. Happily the children will regard you.

86. Happily the chiefs will regard you.

87. Happily, as they scatter in different directions, they will regard you.

88. Happily, as they approach their homes, they will regard you.

89. Happily may their roads home be on the trail of pollen (peace).

90. Happily may they all get back.

91. In beauty (happily) I walk.

92. With beauty before me, I walk.

93. With beauty behind me, I walk.

94. With beauty below me, I walk.

95. With beauty above me, I walk.

96. With beauty all around me, I walk.

97. It is finished (again) in beauty,

98. It is finished in beauty,

99. It is finished in beauty,

100. It is finished in beauty.

REMARKS ON THE PRAYER.

This prayer is addressed to a mythic thunder-bird, hence the reference to wings; but the bird is spoken of as a male divinity, and is supposed to dwell with other yéi at Tseʻgíhi. The prayer is said at the beginning of work, on the last night of the klédzi hatál. The shaman speaks it, verse by verse, as it is here recorded, and one of the atsáʻlei or first dancers, repeats it, verse by verse, after him.

The word hozó means, primarily, terrestrial beauty. Its derivative hozógo means in a beautiful earthly manner. Hozóni means beautiful on the earth, locally beautiful (ĭnzóni refers to the beauty of objects and persons); Hozóna signifies again beautiful. But the meanings of these words, and others of similar derivation, have been extended to mean happy, happiness, in a happy or joyful manner, etc. In a free translation they must be rendered by various English words.

The four final verses have been previously recorded by the author as hozóni haslé (Qojòni qaslè), but he now regards the form hozóna hastlé as more correct.[289] This expression, repeated twice or four times, according to circumstances, ends all Navaho prayers, yet recorded. It is analogous to the Christian Amen.

289. In a few instances, in this work, a Navaho word may be found spelled or accentuated with slight differences in different places. It must not be inferred from this that one form is correct and the other not. As usage varies in the languages of the most cultured races, so does it vary (only in greater degree) in the languages of the unlettered. A word was often heard differently pronounced and was therefore differently recorded by the author. An effort has been made to decide on a single standard of form and always to give preference to this; but, in a few cases, variations may have been overlooked. Words sometimes undergo great changes when they become parts of compound words. Where the form of a word in this work varies from that presented in previous works by the author the variation may be accounted for, in some cases by the difference in the alphabets used, and in others by the changes of opinion which have come to him in time, as the result of a more extended experience or a more advanced study of the language.

290. Note 290 is omitted.