Part 6

In the Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ wi´-gi-e (The Taking of Life Symbols), the people of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens implored four gods and four goddesses of the sky for permission to take from them “bodies” for their little ones. The people of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ, in the wi´-gi-e recorded by Xu-thu´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ, entreated six gods and four goddesses of the sky for permission to take “bodies” from them for their little ones. The following is the order in which the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ people approached these ten sky deities, the order in which they paired them according to sex, and the terms of relationship they used in addressing them:

1. Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da Hoⁿ´-ba doⁿ, the God of Day (the Sun), grandfather, 2. Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da Hoⁿ doⁿ, the Goddess of Night (the Moon), grandmother.

3. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e Hoⁿ-baⁿ doⁿ, the Day-star (Morning star), grandfather, 4. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e Hoⁿ´ doⁿ, the Night-star (Evening star), grandmother.

5. Wa´-ba-ha, Litter, the Dipper (Great Bear), (fig. 3), grandfather, 6. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e u-ḳi-tha-ç’iⁿ, Double-star, grandmother.

7. Ṭa-p̣a´, Deer-head, Pleiades, grandfather, 8. Ṭa Tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer, the three great stars in Orion’s belt (fig. 4), grandmother.

9. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e Zhu-dse, Red-star, the Pole star, grandfather, 10. Shoⁿ-ge A-ga-k’e e-goⁿ, Dog-star, Sirius, grandfather.

The two wi´-gi-es do not agree as to the sexes of two of the sky deities. In the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge wi´-gi-e, Ṭa-p̣a´ (Pleiades) is addressed as grandmother and in that of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ as grandfather. Ṭa-tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer, is addressed as grandfather in the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge wi´-gi-e and in that of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ as grandmother.

The difference between the two wi´-gi-es in this respect was spoken of to Shoⁿ´-ge-moⁿ-iⁿ and he said: “We notice such mistakes in the tribal rites but controversy over them is always avoided by the Noⁿ´-hoⁿ-zhiⁿ-ga. Xu-tha´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ recited his wi´-gi-e correctly, and we recite ours as it was handed down to us. The Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ, being a war people, mention in their wi´-gi-e their two war gods, the Red-star and the Dog-star; they address both as grandfather. We (the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge) are a peace people, therefore we do not mention those two gods in our child-naming ritual.”

FIRST CHILD-NAMING WI´-GI-E OF THE ṬSI´-ZHU WA-NO^N GENS

The following is the first wi´-gi-e in the Child-naming Ritual of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ, war gens, of the Ṭsi´-zhu great tribal division, as recited by Xu-tha´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ.

TAKING OF LIFE SYMBOLS

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1. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 2. The Ṭsi´-zhu, a people who have seven fireplaces, spake to one another, 3. Saying: O, younger brothers, 4. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 5. Then, at that very time they spake 6. To the Sho´-ḳa Wa-ba-xi (the Chief Messenger), 7. Saying: O, younger brother, 8. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies, 9. Take heed and see what can be done. 10. Then, at that very time, 11. The Chief Messenger 12. Hastened to the 13. God of Day (the Sun), who sitteth in the heavens, 14. And returned with him to the people. 15. They spake to the God of Day, saying: O, grandfather, 16. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 17. Then, at that very time, 18. The God of Day quickly replied: It is well you sent for me. 19. Of all the groups of gods, 20. I am a god by myself. 21. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 22. Even among the gods, 23. There is not one who has power to see my path. 24. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 25. Even among the gods 26. There is not one who shall be able to see their path, in life’s journey. 27. Even among the gods 28. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 29. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 30. Even among the gods 31. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path, in life’s journey. 32. Even among the gods 33. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 34. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 35. Even among the gods 36. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 37. I am not the only god, 38. Take heed and make further search.

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39. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 40. The Chief Messenger 41. Hastened to the 42. Goddess of Night (the Moon), who sitteth in the heavens, 43. And returned with her to the people. 44. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother, 45. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 46. Then, at that very time, 47. The Goddess of Night replied: It is well you sent for me. 48. Of all the groups of gods, 49. I am a god by myself. 50. Even among the gods 51. There is not one who has power to see my path. 52. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 53. Even among the gods 54. There is not one who shall be able to see their path. 55. Even among the gods 56. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 57. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 58. Even among the gods 59. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 60. Even among the gods 61. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 62. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 63. Even among the gods 64. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 65. I am not the only god, 66. Take heed and make further search.

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67. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 68. The Chief Messenger 69. Hastened to the 70. Star of Day (the Morning Star), who sitteth in the heavens, 71. And returned with him to the people. 72. They spake to the Star of Day, saying: O, grandfather, 73. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 74. Then, at that very time, 75. The Star of Day replied: It is well you sent for me. 76. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 77. Of all the groups of gods, 78. I am a god by myself. 79. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 80. Even among the gods 81. There is not one who has power to see my path. 82. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 83. Even among the gods 84. There is not one who shall be able to see their path. 85. Even among the gods 86. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 87. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 88. Even among the gods 89. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 90. Even among the gods 91. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 92. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 93. Even among the gods 94. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 95. I am not the only god, 96. Take heed and make further search.

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97. The Chief Messenger 98. Hastened to the 99. Star of Night (the Evening Star), who sitteth in the heavens, 100. And returned with her to the people. 101. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother, 102. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 103. Then, at that very time, 104. The Star of Night replied: It is well you sent for me. 105. Of all the groups of gods 106. I am a god by myself. 107. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 108. Even among the gods 109. There is not one who shall be able to see their path, in their life’s journey. 110. Even among the gods 111. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 112. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 113. Even among the gods 114. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path, in their life’s journey. 115. Even among the gods 116. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 117. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 118. Even among the gods 119. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 120. I am not the only god, 121. Take heed and make further search.

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122. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 123. The Chief Messenger 124. Hastened to the 125. Litter (Great Bear), who stands in the midst of the heavens, 126. And returned with him to the people. 127. They spake to Litter, saying: O, grandfather, 128. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 129. Then, at that very time, 130. The Litter replied: It is well you sent for me. 131. Of all the groups of gods, 132. I am a god by myself. 133. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 134. Even among the gods 135. There is not one who has power to see my path. 136. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 137. Even among the gods 138. There is not one who shall be able to see their path, in their life’s journey. 139. Even among the gods 140. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 141. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 142. Even among the gods 143. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 144. Even among the gods 145. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 146. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 147. Even among the gods 148. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 149. I am not the only god, 150. Take heed and make further search.

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151. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 152. The Chief Messenger 153. Hastened to 154. Ṭa-p̣a´, Deer-head (Pleiades), who stands in the heavens, 155. And returned with her to the people. 156. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother, 157. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 158. Then, at that very time, 159. Deer-head replied: It is well you sent for me. 160. Of all the groups of gods 161. I am a god by myself. 162. Even among the gods 163. There is not one who has power to see my path. 164. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 165. Even among the gods 166. There is not one who shall be able to see their path. 167. Even among the gods 168. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 169. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 170. Even among the gods 171. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 172. Even among the gods 173. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 174. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 175. Even among the gods 176. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 177. I am not the only god, 178. Take heed and make further search.

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179. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 180. The Chief Messenger 181. Hastened to 182. Ṭa Tha´-bthiⁿ, Three-deer (Orion’s belt), who sitteth in the heavens, 183. And returned with him to the people. 184. They spake to him, saying: O, grandfather, 185. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 186. Then, at that very time, 187. Three-deer replied: Of all the groups of gods, 188. I am a god by myself. 189. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 190. Even among the gods 191. There is not one who has power to see my path. 192. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 193. Even among the gods 194. There is not one who shall be able to see their path. 195. Even among the gods 196. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 197. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 198. Even among the gods 199. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 200. Even among the gods 201. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 202. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 203. Even among the gods 204. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 205. I am not the only god, 206. Take heed and make further search.

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207. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 208. The Chief Messenger 209. Hastened to 210. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ’e U-ḳi-tha-ç’iⁿ, Double-star (theta and iota in Orion), who sitteth in the heavens, 211. And returned with her to the people. 212. They spake to her, saying: O, grandmother, 213. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 214. Then, at that very time, 215. Double-star replied: It is well you sent for me. 216. Of all the groups of gods 217. I am a god by myself. 218. Even among the gods 219. There is not one who has power to see my path. 220. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 221. Even among the gods 222. There is not one who shall be able to see their path. 223. Even among the gods 224. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 225. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 226. Even among the gods 227. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 228. Even among the gods 229. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 230. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 231. Even among the gods 232. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 233. I am not the only god, 234. Take heed and make further search.

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235. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 236. The Chief Messenger 237. Hastened to 238. Mi-ḳa´-ḳ´e Zhu-dse, Red-star (Pole star), who sitteth in the heavens, 239. And returned with him to the people. 240. They spake to him, saying: O, grandfather, 241. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 242. Red-star replied: It is well you sent for me. 243. Of all the groups of gods 244. I am a god by myself. 245. The little ones shall make of me their bodies. 246. Even among the gods 247. There is not one who has power to see my path. 248. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 249. Even among the gods 250. There is not one who shall be able to see their path. 251. Even among the gods 252. There is not one who has power to cross my path. 253. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 254. Even among the gods 255. There is not one who shall be able to cross their path. 256. Even among the gods 257. What one is there who can stand in my way to prevent my going? 258. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 259. Even among the gods 260. There is not one who shall be able to stand in their way to prevent their going. 261. I am not the only god, 262. Take heed and make further search.

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263. Verily, at that time and place, it has been said, in this house, 264. The Chief Messenger 265. Hastened to 266. The side of the heavens 267. Where lay Shoⁿ´-ge, the Dog (Sirius), as though suspended in the sky, 268. And returned with him to the people. 269. They spake to him, saying: O grandfather, 270. The little ones have nothing of which to make their bodies. 271. Then, at that very time, 272. The Dog replied: The little ones shall make of me their bodies, 273. Behold my toes, that are gathered closely together, 274. I have not folded them together without a purpose. 275. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 276. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 277. When they become aged men, 278. In their toes, closely folded together, 279. They shall see the sign of old age. 280. Behold the folds of skin on my ankle. 281. I have not put them there without a purpose. 282. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 283. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 284. When they become aged men, 285. In the skin of their ankles, gathered in folds, 286. They shall see the sign of old age. 287. Behold the flaccid muscles of my thigh. 288. They have not become flaccid without a purpose. 289. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 290. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 291. When they become aged men, 292. They shall see in the flaccid muscles of their thighs the sign of old age.

293. Behold my shoulders, that are drawn close together. 294. They are not drawn together without a purpose. 295. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 296. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 297. When they become aged men, 298. They shall see in their shoulders drawn together the sign of old age.

299. Behold the flaccid muscles of my throat. 300. They have not become flaccid without a purpose. 301. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 302. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 303. When they become aged men, 304. They shall see in the flaccid muscles of their throat the sign of old age.

305. Behold the folds of the corners of my mouth. 306. They are not put there without a purpose. 307. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 308. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 309. When they become aged men, 310. They shall see in the corners of their mouth the sign of old age.

311. Behold the folds in the corners of my eyes. 312. They are not put there without a purpose. 313. I have made them to be a sign of old age. 314. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 315. When they become aged men, 316. They shall see in the corners of their eyes the sign of old age.

317. Behold the tip of my nose. 318. It is not placed there without a purpose. 319. I have placed it there for chasing away other gods. 320. I use it for keeping other gods from entering my house. 321. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 322. They shall use it to chase away other gods, as they travel the path of life.

323. Behold the hair on the crown of my head grown thin. 324. It has not grown thin without a purpose. 325. I have made it to be a sign of old age. 326. When the little ones make of me their bodies, 327. When they become aged men, 328. They shall see in their whitened hair 329. The sign of old age, as they travel the path of life. 330. There comes a time 331. When a calm and peaceful day comes upon me, 332. So there shall come upon the little ones a calm and peaceful day, as they travel the path of life.

The most important wi´-gi-es (recited parts of a ritual) used in the child-naming rituals are those which relate to the life symbols of a gens, such as the sun, the moon, the morning and evening stars, night and day, deer, elk, bear, etc., which are called wa-zho´-i-ga-the, objects of which bodies are made; and those which relate to the personal, sacred names adopted by a gens to be used by its members for their children. The wi´-gi-e relating to the life symbols are usually recited at the beginning of the ceremony. (See wi´-gi-e of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-shta-ge gens, p. 60.) The name wi´-gi-es, called Zha´-zhe Ḳi-ṭoⁿ (Zha´-zhe, name; Ḳi-ṭoⁿ, the taking of), are recited when all the Noⁿ´-hoⁿ-zhiⁿ-ga who were invited to take part in the ceremony of the conferring of a name upon a child have assembled. The life-symbol and the name-taking wi´-gi-es are paraphrases of the mythical stories of the origin of the people of a gens. These mythical origin stories are called Ni´-ḳi-e, freely translated, Sayings of the Ancient Men.

Xu-tha´-wa-ṭoⁿ-iⁿ (pl. 7), of the Ṭsi´-zhu Wa-noⁿ gens of the Ṭsi´-zhu great tribal division, recorded the life symbol wi´-gi-e of his gens (see pp. 75-84) but he declined to give the wi´-gi-e of the sacred gens names. However, these names appear in the Wi´-gi-e Ṭoⁿ-ga, Great Wi´-gi-e (36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., pp. 254-269), which are here given in their order, as follows:

1. ’Iⁿ-çka´, White Rock. In the origin story of this gens the people came down from the sky, as eagles, to the earth and alighted upon seven trees. Thence:

36. They moved onward over the earth. 37. They came to the top of a rocky cliff, 38. Close to it they came and paused, 40. They spake to one another, saying: White Rock 41. We shall make to be a personal name for ourselves.

—(36th Ann. Rept. Bur. Amer. Ethn., p. 255.)

2. Moⁿ´-hiⁿ Wa-ḳoⁿ´-da, Mysterious Knife. From the White Rock the people went forth to wander over the earth. They thought to make for themselves a knife for ceremonial use. The Sho´-ḳa went again and again to find the right kind of stone of which to make the knife. He brought home the red flint, the blue flint, the flint streaked with yellow, the black flint and the white flint, one after the other, each of which was rejected as being unfit for use by the little ones as a knife. Finally he brought home a round-handled knife which was accepted as suitable for the purpose. Then followed the idea of the people of making a magical war club for ceremonial use. The Sho´-ḳa went in search for the right kind of tree out of which to make it. He brought to the elder brothers the hickory tree, the thick-barked hickory tree, the red oak tree, the red wood tree, the dark wood tree, each of which was rejected as being unsuitable for use as a club. Then he brought to them the willow tree, a tree that never dies. This the elder brothers accepted as eminently fitted for use as a club, and:

[Illustration:

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FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT PLATE 7

XU-THA´-WA-ṬO^N-I^N (ṬSI´-ZHU WA-NO^N GENS)]

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STRAPS FOR TYING CAPTIVES]