2. Noⁿ´-poⁿ-da, Deer gens, of the Wa-zha´-zhe subdivision, to recite their wi´-gi-e relating to one of their life symbols, the water. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 98, lines 1 to 25.)
3. I´-ba-ṭse Ṭa-dse, Wind People, of the Hoⁿ´-ga subdivision, to recite their wi´-gi-e relating to one of their life symbols, the maize.
4. Tho´-xe, Buffalo-bull gens of the Ṭsi-zhu great division, to recite their wi´-gi-e relating to the maize. Tho´-xe is the gens that gave to the people the maize and the squashes. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 279, lines 54 to 110.) The Tho´-xe authorized the I´-ba-ṭse and certain other gentes to use the Maize ritual in their child-naming ceremonies.
5. Çiⁿ´-dse-a-gthe, Wolf gens of the Ṭsi´-zhu great division, to recite their wi´-gi-e relating to their life symbol, the sun. The Dog-star is also one of their life symbols. (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 118, lines 1 to 36.)
Wa-zho´-i-ga-the (Life Symbol) Wi´-gi-e
The Sho´-ḳa returns to the house of the father and reports that he has given notice to all the gentes named to attend the ceremony. Then Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ proceeds to recite the Wa-zho´-i-ga-the Wi´-gi-e of his gens, a name which means, The Taking of Bodies; that is, The Taking of Life Symbols. The reciting of this wi´-gi-e is for the benefit of the father and the child.
THE TAKING OF LIFE SYMBOLS.
FREE TRANSLATION
1
1. The people spake to one another, saying: Lo, the little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies,
2. Take heed, O, younger brothers, and see what can be done.
3. Then to the youngest of the brothers they spake, saying:
4. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies, O, younger brother.
5. Hardly were these words spoken,
6. When the young messenger stood before the God of Day (the sun), to whom he spake, saying:
7. O, my grandfather!
8. The God of Day replied: My grandchild!
9. The messenger spake: The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies, O, grandfather.
10. The God of Day spake: I am a person of whom the little ones may well make their bodies,
11. I am a god who has power to resist death.
12. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
13. They also shall have power to resist death, as they travel the path of life.
14. Even among the gods,
15. There is not one who is able to see my path.
16. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
17. Even the gods
18. Shall not be able to see their path, as they travel the path of life.
2
19. Again the people spake, saying: O, younger brothers,
20. Take heed and see what can be done,
21. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
22. They spake to the youngest of the brothers, saying:
23. O, younger brother,
24. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies,
25. Take heed and see what can be done.
26. Hardly were these words spoken
27. When the young messenger stood before the Goddess of Night (the moon),
28. To whom he spake, saying: O, my grandmother!
29. The Goddess of Night replied: My grandchild!
30. The messenger spake: The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies.
31. Then spake the Goddess of Night: I am a person of whom the little ones may well make their bodies,
32. I am a goddess who has power to resist death.
33. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
34. They also shall have power to resist death, as they travel the path of life.
35. Even among the gods
36. There is not one who is able to see my path.
37. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
38. Even the gods
39. Shall not be able to see their path, as they travel the path of life.
40. Even among the gods
41. There is not one of them who can stand in my way to prevent my going.
42. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
43. Even the gods
44. Shall not be able to stand in their way, as they travel the path of life.
45. Moreover, I have been able to bring myself to see old age.
46. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
47. They also shall bring themselves to see old age, as they travel
the path of life.
48. I have brought myself to the days that are calm and peaceful.
49. When the little ones make of me their bodies,
50. They also shall bring themselves to the calm and peaceful days, as they travel the path of life.