Thursday, December 10, 2015

GIFT of Reconciliation



How The Antelope Maiden Was Reconciled


2 sons of village chiefs of Zuñi are racing. At bluff they are called by Antelope mána. They approach, and maiden draws up elder brother by deep inhalation. She tells other one that she will not give back his brother even for his beads. When father hears, he sends younger brother to ask assistance of Pöokónghoyas, for whom he makes ball tied to stick and arrow. He goes to house of Spider Woman, their grandmother, who calls them. Messenger hands them presents, and they send him to Mole.

Mole tells them to go northward to his uncle. They come to house of Storm, who is Hopi. Young man tells his story and they smoke. Young man swallows smoke then Storm sends him to Snake people at Wálpi. He goes and finds Snake people dressed up as warriors. He tells them why he has come, and they smoke.
Young man again swallows all smoke, which pleases Snakes. They give him báho, which they say maiden wants, and tell him to make báhos like it. He returns home, and they make good many báhos.

Young man, father, 2 Pö'okongs, Spider Woman, and Storm proceed to bluff. Father asks for son and shows maiden báhos. By aid of Storm they get into house, and maiden says she wants báhos, but before she gives up son they must play game. She spreads sand on floor, and Hopi plant seeds and thrust báhos into border of sand. Plants grow up quickly, and maiden then says they shall race, following sun. Young man mounts eagle breath feather and maiden turns into swift snake. Maiden is in lead, and Spider Woman, with reed, by strong inhalation, increases young man's speed so that he beats. Mána draws son from inner room where many bones of voting men. Antelope Maiden has been angry because no báhos had been made for her, but she is reconciled when her báhos are revived.

Traditions of the Hopi, by H.R. Voth. Field Columbian Museum Publication 96, Anthropological Series Vol VIII. Chicago. [1905] and is now in the public domain.




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