Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/612

 264 Journal of American Folk- Lore.

" Father, I desire that you remember our family, and that the medi- cine may continue to be good. I have learned from this venerable man that there was once a man who stood upon a hill praying, and that Ti-ra'-wa gave you power to make known mysteries to this man, and that this knowledge has been handed down until now my uncle has charge of you. I have often been around and about you, and have had the feeling that you are set apart and holy. I have in times past brought gifts to you [offerings at ceremonies, not fees], and you have done right by us. When sickness was in our family, the medi- cine given by my uncle has had the power to cure. These gifts I receive back from my uncle. I am glad in my heart that I receive them, not from my uncle, but from the gods who gave the medicines that are in the care of my uncle, and that these gifts which I receive back have been brought to the notice of the gods."

Then all present gave the word of thanks : " Na-wa-i-ri ! "

The young man stepped in front of the old priest, grasped his hands, then stroked his arms, and again grasped his hands, stood for a moment, and then silently took his seat.

Meanwhile the wife and child who had been sick, her mother, and the wife of the priest entered the lodge, and took their seats toward the southwest. The priest walked to the kettle of mush, ladled it out into the two wooden bowls, and put two buffalo-horn spoons in each bowl. Taking some of the mush in a spoon, he offered it to the east, flipping a particle with his finger in the direction of the rising sun ; then at the north he poured a little on the ridge of the fireplace ; passing round to the west, he bowed his head, and raised the spoon to Ti-ra'-wa, and lowered it very slowly, dropping some on the rim of the fireplace ; then, a little was placed in front of the skull. This ceremony over, he set one of the bowls before two of the women, and the other in front of two of the men. Two persons ate from the one bowl, and each laid a small offering on the rim of the fireplace before partaking of the corn. The bowls were passed around the circle a few times. The little child was given of this sacred food by its mother, and when the bowl reached its father, he motioned to the child, who ran to him, and there received a second portion.

The dishes having been gathered up and taken out of the lodge by the wife, the priest spoke upon the help he had received through the observance of ceremonies connected with the buffalo cult. Then he gathered up the articles spread out before him into a bundle, tied it up, arose and went out of the lodge, all the others following.

This simple ceremony throws light upon the native belief as to the causes which promote the efficiency of the administered medi-

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