Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/276

] because of the accidental presence of some one who knows a group, as the "Bluebird songs" or the "Swallow songs." Examples of all the principal groups of songs are here recorded. They include:

Archaic songs; included in the cosmogonical myth; they are known as "Emergence songs," and contain a few words of a meaning unknown, owing either to age or to borrowing.

Festal songs; including "Circling," "Basket beating," "Middle run," "Name," etc.

Game songs; these are short, not numerous, and often borrowed.

Hunting songs; there are a few songs that appear to have once been used in the ceremonial preparations for hunting, but which are now employed in the magical treatment of disease.

Medicine songs; this is the largest class; every conceivable ailment has its appointed song, ascribed to some animal or natural phenomenon or even supernatural agency. Many of these are from the Papagos.

Puberty songs; some are especially for this ceremony, though any festal songs may be sung at this time.

Rain songs; these contain interesting references to deities not elsewhere mentioned. So far as known, their source has not yet been ascertained.

War songs; these were numerous and of great importance in the ceremonies.