The Iroquois Book Of Rites Part 8

Yeshonaraseshen,

SHAKENJOWANE!

Etho natejonhneh!

47. KANOKARIH!

Yeshonarase,--onwa

NISHARYENEN!

Etho natejonhneh!

48. Onghwa keghaghshonah Yodenaghstahhere Kanaghstajikowah.

Yatehhotihohhataghkwen.

Etho ronaraseshen, Yadehninhohhanonghne:

KANONGHKERIDAWYH!

Yeshonaraseshen,

TEYONINHOKARAWENH!

Etho natejonhneh!

49. Onenh watyonkwentendane Kanikonrakeh.

ANCIENT RITES OF THE CONDOLING COUNCIL

[English Translation]

THE PRELIMINARY CEREMONY:

CALLED, "AT THE WOOD'S EDGE."

1. Now [Footnote: The paragraphs are not numbered in the original text.

The numbers are prefixed in this work merely for convenience of reference.] to-day I have been greatly startled by your voice coming through the forest to this opening. You have come with troubled mind through all obstacles. You kept seeing the places where they met on whom we depended, my offspring. How then can your mind be at ease? You kept seeing the footmarks of our forefathers; and all but perceptible is the smoke where they used to smoke the pipe together. Can then your mind be at ease when you are weeping on your way?

2. Great thanks now, therefore, that you have safely arrived. Now, then, let us smoke the pipe together. Because all around are hostile agencies which are each thinking, "I will frustrate their purpose." Here th.o.r.n.y ways, and here falling trees, and here wild beasts lying in ambush.

Either by these you might have perished, my offspring, or, here by floods you might have been destroyed, my offspring, or by the uplifted hatchet in the dark outside the house. Every day these are wasting us; or deadly invisible disease might have destroyed you, my offspring.

3. Great thanks now, therefore, that in safety you have come through the forest. Because lamentable would have been the consequences had you perished by the way, and the startling word had come, "Yonder are lying bodies, yea, and of chiefs!" And they would have thought in dismay, what had happened, my offspring.

4. Our forefathers made the rule, and said, "Here they are to kindle a fire; here, at the edge of the woods, they are to condole with each other in few words." But they have referred thither [Footnote: That is, to the Council House.] all business to be duly completed, as well as for the mutual embrace of condolence. And they said, "Thither shall they be led by the hand, and shall be placed on the princ.i.p.al seat."

5. Now, therefore, you who are our friends of the Wolf clan:

_In John Buck's MS._ _Supposed Meaning._ Ka rhe tyon ni. The broad woods.

Ogh ska wa se ron hon. Grown up to bushes again.

Gea di yo. Beautiful plain.

O nen yo deh. Protruding stone.

De se ro ken. Between two lines.

Te ho di jen ha ra kwen. Two families in a long-house, Ogh re kyon ny. (Doubtful.) [one at each end.]

Te yo we yen don. Drooping wings.

Such is the extent of the Wolf clan.

6. Now, then, thy children of the two clans of the Tortoise:

Ka ne sa da keh. On the hill side.

Onkwi i ye de. A person standing there.

Weg'h ke rhon. (Doubtful.) Kah ken doh hon. "

Tho gwen yoh. "

Kah he kwa ke. "

Such is the extent of the Tortoise clan.

7. Now these thy brothers of the Bear clan:

De ya oken. The Forks.

Jo non de seh. It is a high hill.

Ots kwe ra ke ron. Dry branches fallen to the ground.

Ogh na we ron. The springs.

8. Now these have been added lately:

Ka rho wengh ra don. Taken over the woods.

Ka ra ken. White.

De yo he ro. The place of flags (rushes).

De yo swe ken. Outlet of the river.

Ox den ke. To the old place.

Such is the extent of the Bear clan.

These were the clans in ancient times.

9. Thus are written the words of mutual greeting, called "the opening ceremony." Then one will say, "My offspring, now this day we are met together. G.o.d has appointed this day. Now, to-day, we are met together, on account of the solemn event which has befallen you. Now into the earth he has been conveyed to whom we have been wont to look. Yea, therefore, in tears let us smoke together."

10. "Now, then, we say, we wipe away the tears, so that in peace you may look about you."

11. "And, further, we suppose there is an obstruction in your ears. Now, then, we remove the obstruction carefully from your hearing, so that we trust you will easily hear the words spoken."

12. "And also we imagine there is an obstruction in your throat. Now, therefore, we say, we remove the obstruction, so that you may speak freely in our mutual greetings."

13. "Now again another thing, my offspring. I have spoken of the solemn event which has befallen you. Every day you are losing your great men.

They are being borne into the earth; also the warriors, and also your women, and also your grandchildren; so that in the midst of blood you are sitting."

14. "Now, therefore, we say, we wash off the bloodmarks from your seat, so that it may be for a time that happily the place will be clean where you are seated and looking around you."