Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 1.djvu/203

 alone were exposed to destruction by lingering frosts. Actual famine among the Indians was unknown, although occasionally after the arrival of the English, there were years when the supplies of grain were very much shortened. The aborigines divided the year into five seasons according to its varying character; the first was known as Cattapeuk, that is to say, the season of blossoms; the second as Cohattayough, the season when the sun rode highest in the heavens; the third as Nepenough, the season when the ears of maize were large enough to be roasted; the fourth as Taquetock, the season when the leaves began to fall and the grain was ready to be gathered; and the fifth as Cohonk, the season when long lines of wild geese appeared from the north uttering the cry which suggested the name it bore.

The feasts of the Indians were adapted to each season. A day was solemnized in spring in anticipation of the annual hunting expedition, and another at the same time of the year in commemoration of the ripening of certain varieties of fruits. It was in autumn, however, that the principal festivals took place, because that was the season of the greatest abundance. There was one feast to celebrate the return of the wild fowl, and another to mark the completion of the maize harvest. The last was the chief revel of the whole year, and was prolonged for several days; on this occasion the inhabitants of many towns came together to express their joy that the grain had been gathered in, that there was food enough for the women and children, and that the warriors could now amuse themselves with the chase, or gratify their love of war. At this crowning feast, a fire was kindled either in a long wigwam or in a field, and a ring was formed, with posts erected at short intervals along its