§ 224. Grades of merit or bravery, Úwahéhajĭ-má, were of two sorts. To the first class belonged such as had given to the poor on many occasions, and had invited guests to many feasts, being celebrated for the latter as "wéku-ctan." To the second class belonged those, who, besides having done these things many times, had killed several of the foe and had brought home many horses. In connection with war customs, see Property (Chapter [XII]), and Regulative Industries (Chapter [XI]).
Another protective industry is the practice of medicine. (See Dancing Societies, Chapter [X].)
CHAPTER X.
AMUSEMENTS AND CORPORATIONS.
§ 225. Riddles, Wá¢ade.—"Níacinga win ní kě´di hí égan, dan´be ʞĭ, xagé gí. Edádan ă?—A person having gone to the water, and looked at it is coming back weeping. What is that?" The answer is, "₵éxé amé. Ní kě í¢ijai ʞĭ, a¢in´ agíi ʞĭ, ga`ě´`ě. É xagé, ai."—It is a kettle. When it is dipped into the water, and, one is bringing it back, it is dripping. That, they say, is weeping.
[P]ahé ʇañgáqti win ědedí¢in ʞĭ´jĭ, q¢abé ábaéqtian! Cañ´ge ědedíama; hin sábě, jíde ctĭ, skă ctĭ. Indádan ă?"—There is a mountain that is covered with trees. Horses are moving there; some have black hair, some red, and some white. What is it? The answer is, "A person's head is the mountain; the hairs are trees, and lice are the horses."
"Gawéxe win ědedí¢an. Indádan ă?"—There is a place cut up by gulleys. What is it? Answer: Wa`ujiñga ĭndé hă, An old woman's face. (It is furrowed with wrinkles.)
§ 226. Proverbs, Wíu¢a.—Sometimes they say of an obstinate man, "Waníʇa égan áhan," He is like an animal, meaning that he is "naxíde-¢iñgé." Another ancient comparison is this: "Jé égan áhan. Wanan´pajĭ áhan."—He is like the membrum virile! He fears the sight of nothing! This refers to a bad man, who fears not to commit a wrong, but pushes ahead, in spite of opposition, or, as the Omahas say, "áʞi[p]atcíje," regardless of the consequences to others or to himself.
A proverb about the "Wanaxe piäjĭ," the bad spirit, is a modern one, introduced after coming in contact with the white men.
Ictínikeqtian´i, He is like Ictinike; i. e., he is very cunning. Miʞá [p]a núʞagi¢ai, The raccoon wet his head. This refers to one who talks softly when he tries to tempt another.