Page:Memoirs of the American Folk-Lore Society V.djvu/53

Rh were born twins. Accepting any of these versions, they would properly be called brothers, according to the Indian system of relationship, and such they are called in the legends. Their chief mission was to destroy the alien gods; but they still help the warriors in battle, and aid the sick who suffer from witchcraft. The longest chapter in the Origin Legend is devoted to recounting their genesis and history. In reading the chapter, it will be apparent to the comparative mythologist that these characters have their counterparts, which need not now be mentioned, in the myths of many races in both hemispheres. From their mythic associations it would appear that Nayénĕzgạni is a god of light, with its associated heat, while To‘badzĭstsíni is a god of darkness, with its associated moisture; yet, apparently in contradiction to this, the representative of the former is painted black and wears a black mask in the ceremonies (plate IV.), while the representative of the latter is painted red and wears a red mask (plate VII.).

77. Nayénĕzgạni, whose name signifies Slayer of the Alien Gods,127 is spoken of as the elder brother in the legends and always plays the more important part. To‘badzĭstsíni, or Child of the Water,127 is called the younger brother and always appears as a subordinate character. In the ceremonies, the masquerader who personates Nayénĕzgạni always walks in front, while he who personates To‘badzĭstsíni comes behind. The two gods are always associated in prayer and sacrifice, but here, again, Nayénĕzgạni takes precedence. In all the sacred songs where they are mentioned, the superiority of Nayénĕzgạni is indicated. Antithesis, as has been said, is a favorite figure with the Navaho poets, and they often employ it when speaking of these gods. The "Song of the Approach" of the War Gods in the ceremony of klédzi hatál will serve, as well as many other compositions, to show how they treat this subject. It may be freely translated thus:—

Thus both the gods come to the aid of the supplicant; but while the elder strides proudly on the summits of the mountains, the younger walks humbly among the foothills.

78. Yéi.—There are a number of divinities in the Navaho