Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 1.djvu/106

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Fletcher] A PA WNEE RITUAL 87

These three facts indicate (1) that a man's name stood for what he had shown himself to be in the light of his action ; (2) this was recognized by his tribesmen ; and (3) it was proclaimed by one having in charge the mediatory rites through which man could be approached by the supernatural. With these three facts in mind we will examine the ritual.

Three dramatic movements are expressed in it, but they can- not be treated separately as they are closely interdependent.

The first movement gives a brief narration of the institution of the custom of changing the name in consequence of some new achievement.

The second shows how the man was enabled to accomplish this act. It begins with his lonely vigil and fast, when he cried to the gods for help. The scene then shifts to the circle of the gods, who in council deliberate on the petition which makes its way to them and gains their consent. Then the Winds summon the messengers, and these, gathering at the gods' command, are sent to earth, to the man crying in lonely places, to grant his desire. The movement closes with a few vivid words which tersely set forth that only by the favor and help of the gods had the man been able to do the deed.

The third deals with the man's names — the one to be discarded and the one now to be assumed. 1

THE RITUAL

1 Hi-ri ! Wa-ku'-ra-ru-ta sha-ru wi-ti ra-ra-wa-a ki-ru sha-ru re-ru

kit-a-wi Rah-wi-rah-ri-so ti-ra kah-ho ri-wi-ri.

2 Hi-ri ! Ra-ru kit-a-wi Rah-wi-rah-ri-so ra-hoo ti shi-ra ru-tu-rah-

witz pa-ri u-sa-ru i re.

3 Hi-ri ! Ra-ru kit-a-wi Rah-wi-rah-ri-so ra-hoo ti shi-re-ra kit-a-wa

u-sa-ru.

4 Hi-ri ! Ri-ru-tzi-ra-ru ; ra-sa roox-sa pa-ka-ra-ra witz pa-ri, Hi-ri !

ti-ru-ta, Hi-ri ! ti-ra-koose ta-ra-ra-wa-hut, ti-ri.

��1 The termination of one movement and the beginning of another are indicated to the eye by extra spacing between the third and fourth, and the eleventh and twelfth lines.

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