Navaho Myths, Prayers, and Songs — Washington Matthews

Washington Matthews

Washington Matthews was an Army surgeon whose long posting among the Navajo made him one of the foremost early ethnographers of their ceremonial life, and this short collection gathers a Navaho tale, two prayers from the Night Chant, a story of the god Bekotsidi, and a protection song, each given in the Navaho language with word-for-word interlinear translation as well as a smoother running English rendering. Matthews's own alphabet and pronunciation key opens the volume, since accurate rendering of Navaho sounds was central to his method.

Published in 1906 as part of the University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology, this edition reproduces the complete text, including an editor's note appended after Matthews's death.

Alphabet and Pronunciation
Editor's Note
A Tale of Kininaékai
A Prayer of the Second Day of the Night Chant
A Prayer of the Fourth Day of the Night Chant
The Story of Bekotsidi
Protection Song

Alphabet and Pronunciation

The characters used in this work, in spelling Navaho words, are given below, with the value assigned to each character.

a has the sound of English a in father.
ä has the sound of English a in hat. has the sound of English a in what.
a has the sound of English e in they. In some connections it varies to the sound of English e in their.
ë has the sound of English e in then.
i has the sound of English i in marine.
ï has the sound of English i in tin.
o has the sound of English o in bone.
u has the sound of English u in rude.
ai unmarked, or accented on the i (aí), is a diphthong having the sound of English i in bind. When it is accented on the a (ái), or has a diaeresis (aï), it is pronounced as two vowels.
ow has the sound of English ow in how. It is heard mostly in meaningless syllables.
A vowel followed by an inverted comma (`) is aspirated, or pronounced with a peculiar force which cannot be well represented by adding the letter h.

b has the sound of English b in bat.
d has the sound of English d in day.
d represents a strongly aspirated dental sonant. It is often interchanged with d.
g has the sound of English g in go, or, in some connections, the sound of English g in gay.
g has a sound unknown in English. It is the velar g, like the Arabic ghain, or the Dakota g.
h has the sound of English h in hat.
h has the sound of German ch in machen. It is sometimes interchanged with h.
k has usually the sound of English k in koran; but sometimes the sound of English k in king.
l has the sound of English l in lay.
l has a sound unknown in English. It is an aspirated surd l, made with the side rather than with the tip of the tongue. It is often interchanged with l.
m has the sound. of English m in man.
n has the sound of English n in name.
n has the effect of French n in bon. It has no equivalent in English.
s has the sound of English s in sand.
s has the sound of English sh in shad. It is often interchanged with s.
t has the sound of English t in tan.
t represents a strongly aspirated dental surd. It is often interchanged with t.
w has the sound of English w in war.
y has the sound of English y in yarn.
z has the sound of English z in zone.
z has the sound of English z in azure. It is often interchanged with z.
c, f, j, p, q, v, and x are not used. The sound of English ch in chance is represented by ts; that of English j in jug by dz.

Editor's Note

In the latter part of the year 1902 the late Dr. Washington Matthews entered into an arrangement with the Department of Anthropology of the University of California, through its head, Professor F. W. Putnam, in accordance with which he was to devote the remainder of his life to the preparation of a large amount of unpublished material which he had accumulated during the many years of active life among the North American Indians. In accordance with the agreement, this material was received by the Department of Anthropology shortly after the lamented close of Dr. Matthews' life.

It was the good fortune of the editor to spend some days in Dr. Matthews' company during the autumn of 1903, when plans were formed for the completion and publication of certain material. The texts of a number of prayers and songs, for the most part connected with the ceremony of the Night Chant, had been recorded hastily, and required the aid of a Navaho to bring them into proper condition for publication. Since Dr. Matthews' health would not permit of a trip to the Navaho country and his increasing deafness rendered the acquisition of information from native sources difficult, the editor undertook the work of revision. The first trip made in 1904 to the Navaho country was unsuccessful because of the serious illness of Hatali Natloi, the priest from whom the texts had been originally obtained. A second trip during January of the present year resulted in the accomplishment of the task, but alas! too late for the completed work to pass under the critical hand of its author. The editor must the therefore assume the responsibility for the addition of certain lines to the texts, for the substitution of certain words made at the dictation of Hatali Natloi, for the alteration of the orthography of a few Navaho words, and for the choice, here and there, of one of the two possible renderings suggested by the author. It is needless to say that the free translations are the unimprovable work of the author.

Berkeley, Cal., April 14, 1906.

A Tale of Kininaékai

[1] In my work entitled "The Night Chant, A Navaho Ceremony," [2] I give translations of four myths (or, more properly, of three myths and a variant) that belong to the ceremony described. These may be called the great or fundamental myths of the ceremony; but, in addition, there is a great number of minor myths, accounting for the origin of certain minor rites, and of different groups of songs of sequence and other matters. We may never reasonably hope for the collection and translation of all these myths.

The following tale accounts for the origin of one of these groups of songs, namely the Tsénitsihogan Bigï'n or songs of the Red Rock House, and perhaps for the origin of some of the ritual observances.

In "The Night Chant" I say, when describing the rites of the second day: "When the party returns to the medicine lodge, the patient sits in the west, for he has still further treatment to undergo. * * * The chanter applies pollen to the essential parts of the patient, puts some in his or her mouth, takes a pinch of it on his own tongue, and applies a little of it to the top of his own head. These applications of pollen are all timed to coincide with certain words of the accompanying song." Song F that follows is what may be called a pollen song, for it is sung when pollen is applied. I explain, in notes, where and when different applications of pollen are made as the singing progresses. I cannot say if there are other pollen songs; but probably there are.

In the ancient days, there were four songs which you had to sing if you would enter the White House. [3] The first was sung when you were ascending the cliff; the second, when you entered the first doorway; the third, when you walked around inside the house; and the fourth, when you were prepared to leave. You climbed up from the ground to the house on a rainbow. All this was in the old days. You cannot climb that way now. In those days, Hayolkál Askí, Dawn Boy, went there on a rainbow.

In the ancient days, there lived in this house a chief of the house. There were four rooms and four doors, and there were sentinels at each door. At the first door there were two big lightnings, one on each side; at the second door there were two bears; at the third door there were two red-headed snakes, which could charm you from afar, before you got near them; and at the fourth door there were two rattlesnakes.

Of course few people ever visited the place, for if the visitor were not a holy one some of these sentinels would surely kill him. They were vigilant. The chief of the house and his subordinates had these songs, by the power of which they could enter and quiet the sentinels, who always showed signs of anger when any one approached them.

Dawn Boy got leave from Hastséyalti [4] to go to White House. Hastséyalti instructed him how to get there, taught him the prayers and songs he must know, and told him what sacrifices he must make. These must include fragments of turquoise, white shell, haliotis, and cannel-coal, besides destsí corn-pollen and larkspur pollen, and were to be tied up in different bags before he started. "When you get into the plain, as far off as the people of White House can see you, begin to sing one of these songs and a rainbow will form on which you may walk," said Hastséyalti.

Dawn Boy then set forth on his journey. When he got to Dzildanístíni, or Reclining Mountain, he got his first view of the White House, and there he began to sing. Reclining Mountain is,

today, far from White House; you cannot see one place from the other; but in the ancient days the world was smaller than it is now, and the people of whom I speak were holy ones. When he had finished the song a rainbow appeared, as Hastséyalti had promised, spanning the land from Reclining Mountain to White House. As he walked on the rainbow, a great wind began to blow, raising a dust that blinded the sentinels at White House and prevented them from seeing Dawn Boy when he entered.

There was a black kethawn [5] at each side of the door and a curtain hung in the doorway. When he entered the house, he walked on a trail of daylight and he sprinkled pollen on the trail. The people within became aware of the presence of a stranger and looked up. Hastséyalti and Hastséhogan, the Talking God and the House God, who were the chief gods there, looked angrily at him, and one said: "Who is this stranger that enters our house unbidden? Is he one of the People on the Earth? [6] Such have never dared to enter this place before." Dawn Boy replied: "It is not for nothing that I come here. See! I have brought gifts for you. I hope to find friends here." Then he showed the precious things he had brought and sang this song:

Where my kindred dwell, there I wander.
Child of the White Corn am I, there I wander.
The Red Rock House, there I wander.
Where dark kethawns are at the doorway, there I wander.
With the pollen of dawn upon my trail. There I wander.
At the yuni, the striped cotton hangs with pollen. There I wander.
Going around with it. There I wander.
Taking another, I depart with it. With it I wander.
In the house of long life, there I wander.
In the house of happiness, there I wander.
Beauty before me, with it I wander.
Beauty behind me, with it I wander.
Beauty below me, with it I wander.
Beauty above me, with it I wander.
Beauty all around me, with it I wander.
In old age traveling, with it I wander.
On the beautiful trail I am, [7] with it I wander.

Then he gave them the sacred things he had brought with him, and Hastséyalti said it was well, that he was welcome to remain, and they asked him what he wanted. "I want many things," he replied. "I have brought you pieces of precious stones and shells; these I wish wrought into beads and strung into ornaments, like those I see hanging abundantly on your walls. I wish domestic animals of all kinds, corn of all kinds, and plants of all kinds. I wish good and beautiful black clouds, good and beautiful thunder storms, good and beautiful gentle showers, and good and beautiful black fogs."

The chiefs thanked him for his gifts, and asked him whose song it was that enabled him to come to White House,--who it was that taught it to him. But he had been warned by his informant not to reveal this, so he answered: "No one told me; I composed my songs myself. They are my own songs." "What is your name?" they asked. "I am Hayolkál. Askí, Dawn Boy," he replied. "It is well," said the holy ones. "Since you know our songs you are welcome to come here; but rarely does any one visit us, for there are but two outside of our dwelling who know our songs. One is Hastséyalti of Tséintyel, [8] in this cañon, and the other is *H*ast*s*éyal*t*i of Tseyahódïlyïl [9] in Tse`gíhe. [10]

Then Hastséhogan sent for a sacred buckskin, and one son and one daughter of each of the two gods, Hastséyalti and Hastséhogan spread the skin for Dawn Boy to stand on. Thus do we now, as the gods did then. [11] As he stood, Hastséhogan taught Dawn Boy the White House prayer, as follows:

In Kininaékai. [12]
In the house made of dawn.
In the story made of dawn.
On the trail of dawn.
O, Talking God!
His feet, my feet, restore (or heal).
His limbs, my limbs, restore.
S. His body, my body, restore.
His mind, my mind, restore.
His voice, my voice, restore.
His plumes, my plumes, restore.
With beauty before him, with beauty before me.
With beauty behind him, with beauty behind me.
With beauty above him, with beauty above me.
With beauty below him, with beauty below me.
With beauty around him, with beauty around me.
With pollen beautiful in his voice, with pollen beautiful in my voice.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.

II.

In the house of evening light.
From the story made of evening light.
On the trail of evening light.
O, House God!

(The rest as in I, except that lines 12 and 13 are transposed.)

III.

O, White Corn Boy!
(The rest as in I.)

IV.

O, Yellow Corn Girl!
(The rest as in II.)

O, Pollen Boy!
(The rest as in I.)

VI.

O, Grasshopper Girl!
(The rest as in II, with "It is finished in beauty" four times.)

When they had done, Hastséhogan said: "You have learned the prayer well; you have said it properly and you have done right in all things. Now you shall have what you want." They gave him good and beautiful soft goods of all kinds, all kinds of good and beautiful domestic animals, wild animals, corn of all colors, black clouds, black mists, male rains, female rains, lightning, plants, and pollen.

After he had said the six prayers (or six parts of a prayer) as he bad been taught, he prayed in his mind that on his homeward journey he might have good pollen above him, below him, before him, behind him, and all around him; that he might have good pollen in his voice. The holy ones said: "We promise you all this. Now you may go."

As he started he began to sing this song:

To the house of my kindred, there I return.
Child of the yellow corn am I.
To the Red Rock House, there I return.
Where the blue kethawns are by the doorway, there I return.
The pollen of evening light on my trail, there I return.
At the yuni [13] the haliotis shell hangs with the pollen, there I return.
Going around, with it I return.
Taking another, I walk out with it. With it I return.
To the house of old age, up there I return.
To the house of happiness, up there I return.
Beauty behind me, with it I return.
Beauty before me, with it I return.
Beauty above me, with it I return.
Beauty below me, with it I return.
Beauty all around me, with it I return.
Now in old age wandering, I return.
Now on the trail of beauty, I am. There I return.

He continued to sing this until he got about 400 paces from White House, when he crossed a hill and began to sing the following song:

Held in my hand. (Four times. Prelude.)

Now with it Dawn Boy am I. Held in my hand.
Of Red Rock House. Held in my hand.
From the doorway with dark kethawns. Held in my hand.
With pollen of dawn for a trail thence. Held in my hand.
At the yuni, the striped cotton hangs with the pollen. Held in my hand.
S. Going around with it. Held in my hand.
Taking another, I walk out with it. Held in my hand.
I walk home with it. Held in my hand.
I arrive home with it. Held in my hand.
I sit down with it. Held in my hand.
With beauty before me. Held in my hand.
With beauty behind me. Held in my hand.
With beauty above me. Held in my hand.
With beauty below me. Held in my hand.
With beauty all around me. Held in my hand.
Now in old age wandering. Held in my hand.
Now on the trail of beauty. Held in my hand.

II.

From the doorway with the blue kethawns. Held in my hand.
With pollen of evening for a trail thence. Held in my hand.
At the yuni, the haliotis shell hangs with pollen. Held in my hand.
(The rest as in I, except that 14 and 15 and also 16 and 17 change places.)

By the time he had finished this song he was back at Dzildanístíni, whence be started on his quest and from which he could see Depéntsa and the hills around Tse`gíhi. Then he began to think about his home, and he sang another song.

There it looms up, it looms up, it looms up, it looms up. (Prelude.)

The mountain of emergence looms up.
The mountain of dawn looms up.
The mountain of white corn looms up.
The mountain of all soft goods looms up.
The mountain of rain looms up.
The mountain of pollen looms up.
The mountain of grasshoppers looms up.
The field of my kindred looms up.

He thought it was yet a long way to his home, so he sat down to eat some food he had brought with him. Then he sang another song, one of the Bezínyasin or Food Songs, as follows:

Ína hwié! my child, I am about to eat. (Three times. Prelude.)

Now Hastséyalti. His food I am about to eat.
The pollen of dawn. His food I am about to eat.
Much soft goods. His food I am about to eat.
Abundant hard goods. His food I am about to eat.
Beauty lying before him. His food I am about to eat.
Beauty lying behind him. His food I am about to eat.
Beauty lying above him. His food I am about to eat.
Beauty lying below him. His food I am about to eat.
Beauty all around him. His food I am about to eat.
In old age wandering. I am about to eat.
On the trail of beauty. I am about to eat.

Ína hwié! my child. I am about to eat. Kolagane. (Finale.)

When he had finished his meal, he sang another of the Bezínyasin, a song sung in these days when pollen was administered in the rites.

Ína hwié! my grandchild, I have eaten. (Three times. Prelude.)

Hastséhogan. His food I have eaten.
The pollen of evening. His food I have eaten.
Much soft goods. His food I have eaten.
Abundant hard goods. His food I have eaten.
Beauty lying behind him. His food I have eaten.
Beauty lying before him. His food I have eaten.
Beauty lying above him. His food I have eaten.
Beauty lying below him. His food I have eaten.
Beauty lying all around him. His food I have eaten.
In old age wandering. I have eaten.
On the trail of beauty. I have eaten.

Ína hwié! my grandchild. I have eaten. Kolagane. (Finale.)

Dawn Boy how crossed a valley to Tse`gíhi, and as he crossed it he sang another song the burden of which was "Hozógo nasá, in a beautiful manner I walk."

When he got to the edge of the cañon he looked across it, and there he saw his mother, his father, his sisters, his brothers, and

all his relations. They espied him from afar at the same time, and they said: "Hither comes our elder brother. Hither comes our younger brother," etc., and Hastséyalti, who first taught him the songs and sent him forth on his journey, said: "Sitsówe nada`, my grandson has returned home." Then his father, who had gone inside to spread a sacred buckskin for him, came out again.

Dawn Boy sang a song when he was at the door of the house, the burden of which was, "Sagán si níya, I approach my home," and after he entered he sang "Sagán si nidá, in my house I sit down."

Hastséyalti entered the house after him, and then all the neighbors crowded in and sat down. The old man and the old woman said: "My son, tell us your story;" and Hastséyalti said: "Tell us the story of the holy place you visited, where no stranger ever dared to venture before." Dawn Boy bade them sing a song and promised when they were done singing he would tell his story. The father then sang a song the burden of which was "Diiá ti sïlnahol*ne se, this person will tell me a story."

When the song was finished, Dawn Boy said: "My grandfather, my mother, my father (etc.), what you said was true. It was in truth a holy place that I visited. I did not at first believe that it was such; but now I know that it is.", Then he related all his adventures as they have been already told.
After he had related his story, they made preparations to have a ceremony for him. They made him stand on a sacred buckskin, even as the people of White House had done. As he stood on the footprints, drawn in pollen, he said this prayer:

Dawn Boy am I, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, my moccasins, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, my leggins, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, my shirt, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, my mind, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, my voice, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, my plumes, I say.
Soft goods of all kinds, hanging above me, I say.
Hard goods of all kinds, hanging above me, I say.
Horses [14] of all kinds, hanging above me, I say.
Sheep [15] of all kinds, hanging above me, I say.
White corn, hanging above me, I say.
Yellow corn, hanging above me, I say.
Corn of all kinds, hanging above me, I say.
Plants of all kinds, hanging above me, I say.
Dark clouds, good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Male rain, [15] good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Dark mist, good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Female rain, [15] good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Lightning, good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Rainbows, good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Pollen, good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Grasshoppers, good and beautiful, hanging above me, I say.
Before me beautiful, I go home, I say.
Behind me beautiful, I go home, I say.
Above me beautiful, I go home, I say.
Below me beautiful, I go home, I say.
All around me beautiful, I go home, I say.
In old age wandering, I am, I go home, I say.
On the trail of beauty, I am.
In a beautiful manner, I am.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.

The ceremonies performed were some of those which now occur in the rites of the Night Chant, on the last morning when the great nocturnal dance is finished.

Sïké holó ládïn nasá ga [16]
My kindred | where are | there | I wander. |
Sïké holó ládïn nasá woya [16]
My kindred | where are | there | I wander. |
Sïké holó ládïn nasá ga
My kindred | where are | there | I wander |
Sïké holó ládïn nasá woya
My kindred | where are | there | I wander. |
Nadánlkai biyáze si nïsli'n yégo [16] nasá woyen [16]
White corn | its son | I am. | | I wander. |
Tsénitsehogan ládïn nasá
Red Rock House | there | I wander.
Ketáni dïlyï'l danadïnla' ládïn nasá woyen
Kethwan | dark [17] | hangs down | there | I wander. |
Hayolkál íye [16] tadïtdi'n íye bïl bikeétin ládïn nasá woyen
Dawn | | pollen | | with | its trail | there | I wander. |
Yúnigo nídeká bikénadeskaiye taditdi'nye bïl dasilá ládin nasá woyen
Behind the fire | cotton fabric | with strips on a white ground | pollen | with | hanging | there | I wander. |
Baaíya yégo nasá woyen.
I have | them | I wander. |
Tanalágola nayuné` bïl tsenánëstsa yégo
A second thing | from within | with it | I went out |
Sáan hogán ládïn nasá woyen
Old age | house | there | I wander. |
Hozó hogán ládïn nasá woyen.
Happiness | house | there | I wander |
Sïtsï'dze hozó yégo nasá woyen
Before me | happily | | I wander |
Sïkéde hozó yégo nasá woyen
Behind me | happily | | I wander. |
Siya'gi hozó yégo nasá woyen
Beneath me | happily | | I wander |
Sïkï'ge hozó yégo nasá woyen
Above me | happily | | I wander |

Kat sáan nagaí bïke kat bïké hozó si nïslínne yégo nasá woyen
Now | old age | travelling | now | its trail | happily | I become | | I wander |

Kininaekaígi
House of horizontal white in.
Hayolkál behogángi
Dawn | house made of, in.
Hayolkál bedahonikági
Dawn | having its foundation of, in.
Hayolkál bekeétin
Dawn | its trail marked with.
Hastséyalti!
O, Talking God!
Bïké sïké naslín
His feet, | my feet | have become.
Bïtsát sïtsát naslín
His limbs, | my limbs | have become.
Bïtsï's sïtsï's naslín
His body, | my body | has become.
Bï'ni sï'ni naslín
His mind, | my mind | has become.
Bïné sïné naslín
His voice, | my voice | has become.
Béitsos séitsos naslín
His plumes, | my plumes | have become.
Bebïtsï'dze hozóni besïtsï'dze hozó
With before him | beautiful, | with before me | beautiful.
Bebïkéde hozóni besïyakéde hozó
With behind him | beautiful, | with behind me | beautiful.
Bebiyá hozóni besiyá hozó
With below him | beautiful, | with below me | beautiful.
Bebïkígi hozóni besïkígi hozó
With above him | beautiful. | with above me | beautiful.
Bebïná hozóni besïná hozó
With around him | beautiful, | with me around | beautiful.
Tadïtdín bebïzáhago hozódi ai besïzáhago hozó nasï'slin
Pollen | with in his voice | beautiful, | that | with in my voice beautiful | I become.
Hozó nahastlín
In beauty | again it is finished.
Hozó nahastlín
In beauty | again it is finished.

II.

Kininaekaígi
House of horizontal white in.
Nahotsói behogángi
Horizontal yellow | house made of in.
Nahotsói bedahonikági
Horizontal yellow | having its foundation of in.
Nahotsói bekeétin
Horizontal yellow | its trail marked with
Hastséhogan
O, House God!

(The rest as in part I, except that lines 12 and 13 are transposed.)

III.

Kininaekaígi
House of horizontal white in.
Hayolkál behogángi
Dawn | house made of in.
Hayolkál bedahonikági
Dawn | having its foundation of in.
Hayolkál bekeétin
Dawn | its trail marked with.
Nadánlkai Askí
O, White Corn | Boy!

(The rest as in part I.)

IV.

Kininaekaígi
House of horizontal white in.
Nahotsói behogángi
Horizontal yellow | house made of in.
Nahotsói bedahonikági
Horizontal yellow | having its foundation of in
Nahotsói bekeétin
Horizontal yellow | its trail marked with.
Nadánltsoi Atét
O, Yellow Corn | Girl!

(The rest as in part II.)

Kininaekaígi
House of horizontal white in.
Hayolkál behogángi
Dawn | house made of, in.
Hayolkál bedahonikági
Dawn | having its foundation of, in
Hayolkál bekeétin
Dawn | its trail marked with.
Tadïtdín Askí
O, Pollen | Boy!

(The rest as in part I.)

VI.

Kininaekaígi
House of horizontal white, in.
Nahotsói behogángi
Horizontal yellow | house made of, in.
Nahotsói bedahonikági
Horizontal yellow | having its foundation of, in.
Nahotsói bekeétin
Horizontal yellow | its trail marked with.
Anïltani Atét
O, Grasshopper | Girl!

(The rest as in part II, with "Hozo nahastlín" repeated four times.)

Sïké bogán ládïn nasdás
My kindred | their house | there | I return.
Sïké bogán ládïn nasdá gose [18]
My kindred | their house | there | I return. |
Sïké bogán ládïn nasdás
My kindred | their house | there | I return.
Sïké bogán ládïn nasdá gose
My kindred | their house | there | I return. |
Nadánltsoi biyáze si nïslín yégo nasdás
Yellow corn | his child | I | am | I return.
Tsénitsehogan ládïn nasdá gose
Red Rock House | there | I return.
Ketáni dolï'zi danadïnlá ládïn nasdá gose
Kethawn | blue | hangs down | there | I return. |
Nahotsói tadïdín bïl bekeétin ládïn nasdóse [19]
Evening light | pollen | with | its trail marked | there | I return.
Yúnigo hadáte tadïtdín bïl dasilá` ládïn nasdóse
Behind the fire. | haliotis | pollen | with | hanging | there | I return.
Baaíya yégo nasdóse
Having them | | I return.
Tanalágole nayoné` bïl tsënánëstsa yégo nasdóse
A second thing | from within | with it | I went out | | I return.
Sáan hogán ládïn nasdóse
Old age | house | there | I return.
Hozó hogán ládïn nasdóse
Happiness | house | there | I return.
Sïkéde hozóni yégo nasdóse
Behind me | happily | | I return.
Sïtsï'dze hozóni yégo nasdóse
Before me | happily | | I return.
Sïkéde hozóni yégo nasdóse
Beneath me | happily | | I return.
Sïkígi hozóni yégo nasdóse
Above me | happily | | I return.
Sïnáde daáltso hozóni ládïn nasdóse
Around me | all | happily | | I return.
Kat sáan nagaí kat bïké hozóni si nïslín ládïn nasdóse
Now | old age | traveling | now | its trail | happily | I | become | there | I return.

(Followed by a refrain of meaningless words.)

PRELUDE.

S*ïlá sïlá këlyá ananan. (Repeated four times.)
My hand | my hand | it lies | in.

Kat bïl Hayolkáli Askí si nïslín sïlá kë'lya
Now, | with it | Dawn | boy | I | have become | my hand | they lie in.
Tsénitsehogan ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Red Rock House | there | my hand | they lie in.
Ketáni dïlyï'l danadïnla' ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Kethawn | dark | hangs down | there | my hand | they lie in.
Hayolkáli tadïtdín bïl bekeétin ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Dawn | pollen | with | its trail marked | there | my hands | they lie in.
Yúnigo ndéka, bïkénadëskaiye tadïtdín bïl dasilá` ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Behind the fire | cotton fabric | with stripes on a white ground | pollen | with | hanging | there | my hands | they lie in.
Si baaíya yégo sïlá kë'lya
I | having them | | my hands | they lie in.
Tanalágola nayúne` bïl tsënánëstsa sïlá kë'lya
A second thing | from within | with | I went out | my hands | they lie in.
Sáan hogán ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Old age | house | there | my hands | they lie in.
Hozó hogán ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Happiness | house | there | my hands | they lie in.
Si bïl nadïstsá` yégo sïlá kë'lya
I | with | set forth for home | my hands | they lie in.
Si bïl nayëstá yégo sïlá kë'lya
I | with | go homeward | | my hands | they lie in.
Si bïl nanëstsá` yégo sïlá kë'lya
I | with | reach home | | my hands | they lie in.
Si bïl nanësdá yégo sïlá kë'lya
I | with | I sit down | | my hands | they lie in.
Sïtsï'dze hozógo yégo sïlá kë'lya
Before me | happily | | my hands | they lie in.
Sïkéde hozógo yégo sïlá kë'lya
Behind me | happily | | my hands | they lie in.
Siyági hozógo yégo sïlá kë'lya
Beneath me | happily | | my hands | they lie in.
Sïkíge hozógo yégo sïlá kë'lya
Above me | happily | | my hands | they lie in.
Sïnáde daáltso hozógo yégo sïlá kë'lya
Around me | all | happily | | my hands | they lie in.
Kat sáan nagaí kat biké hozóni sï nïsli'n yégo sïlá kë'lya
Now | old age | traveling | now | its trail | happily | I | become | | my hands | they lie in.

REFRAIN.

II.

Ketáni dolï'zi danadïnlá` ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Kethawns | blue | hang down | there | my hands | they lie in.
Nahotsói tadïtdín bïl bekeétin ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Evening light | pollen | with | its trail marked | there | my hands | they lie in.
Yúnigo hadáte tadïtdín bïl dasilá` ládïn sïlá kë'lya
Behind the | haliotis | pollen | with | hangs | there | my hands | they lie in.

The remainder as in stanza I, except that lines 14 and 15 change places.

PRELUDE.

Naaí oyé [20] naaí oyéyea`. [20]
Stands up. | | stands up. |

Hadjinaí dzïl [21] nayiáyi`
They came up | mountains | loom up.
Hayolkál dzïl nayiáyi`
Dawn | mountain | looms up.
Nadánlkai dzïl nayiáyi`
White corn | mountain | looms up.
Yúdi dzïl nayiáyi`
Soft goods | mountain | looms up.
Nï'ltsa dzïl nayiáyi`
Rain | mountain | looms up.
Tadïtdín dzïl nayiáyi`
Pollen | mountain | looms up.

(Anïltani dzïl nayiáyi`) [22]
Grasshopper | mountain | looms up.

Aíye diné sikéyo bikéya niaíye nizóni yaaíye
That | people | my country | their country | looms up | beautifully | it stands.
Aíye diné sikéyo hokéya altsó hozóni nayiáyi
That | people | my country, | their country | all | beautifully | looms up.

REFRAIN.

H*aineya oooo naaia, etc.

PRELUDE.

I'na [23] hwié [23] siyáze eena [23] saadïlníl
| | my child, | | cook for yourself.

Hasdzélti bisté sadïlníl
Hastséyalti, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Hayolkál bïtadïtdín bisté sadïlníl
Dawn | his pollen, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Yúdi bidolyágo bisté sadïlníl
Soft goods | abundant, | his lunch | cook for yourself.

4, Ntlíz bidolyágo bisté sadïlníl
Hard goods | abundant, | his lunch | cook for yourself.

Bitsín nahozógo bisté sadïlníl
Before him | happily, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Biké nahozógo bisté sadïlníl
Behind him | happily, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Biyáge nahozógo bisté sadïlníl
Above him | below happily, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Bikíge nahozógo bisté sadïlníl
Above him | happily, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Biná nahozógo bisté sadïlníl
Around him | happily, | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Sáan nagaí bisté sadïlníl
Old age | traveling | his lunch | cook for yourself.
Biké hozó bisté sadïlníl
His trail | happily, | his lunch | cook for yourself.

REFRAIN.

I'na hwié siyázi sadïlníl olagáne 23a
| | My child | cook for yourself.

PRELUDE.

I'na hwié sitsówe eena saanëlyá`
| | My grandchild | | I have eaten.

Hastséhogan bisté saanëlyá`
Hastséhogan | his lunch, | I have eaten.
Nahotsói bitaditdín bisté saanëlyá`
Evening light | its pollen, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Yúdi bidolyágo bisté saanëlyá`
Soft goods | abundant, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Ntlíz bidolyágo bisté saanëlyá`
Hard goods | abundant, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Biké nahozógo bisté saanëlyá`
Behind him, | happily, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Bitsín nahozógo bisté saanëlyá`
Before him | happily, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Biyáge nahozógo bisté saanëlyá`'
Below him | happily, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Bikíge nahozógo bisté saanëlyá`
Above him | happily, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Biná nahozógo bisté saanëlyá`
Around him | happily, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Sáan nagaí bisté saanëlyá`
Old age | traveling, | his lunch | I have eaten.
Biké hozó bisté saanëlyá`
His trail | happily, | his lunch | I have eaten.

REFRAIN.

I'na hwié sitsówe saanëlyá` kolagáne
| | My grandchild, | I have eaten. |

Hayolkál Aski' nïsli'ngo [24] adïsní`
Dawn | boy | I am, | I say.
Yúdi altasaí* sïkégo adïs*ní`
Soft goods | of all kinds, | my moccasins, | I say.
Yúdi altasaí sïstlego adïsní`
Soft goods | of all kinds, | my leggins | I say.
Yúdi altasaí siégo adïsní`
Soft goods | of all kinds, | my shirt | I say.
Yúdi altasaí sïnígo adïsní`'
Soft goods | of all kinds, | my mind, | I say.
Yúdi altasaí sïnégo adïsní`
Soft goods | of all kinds, | my voice, | I say.
Yúdi altasaí seetsósgo adïsní`
Soft goods | of all kinds, | my plumes, | I say.
Yúdi altasaí si dahazlágo adïsní`
Soft goods | of all kinds, | me, | they will come to, | I say.
Ntlíz altasaí si dahazlágo adïsní`
Hard goods | of all kinds | me, | they will come to, | I say.
Lin altasaí si dahazlágo adïsní`
Horses | of all kinds | me | they will come to, | I say.
Debé altasaí si dahazlágo adïsní`
Sheep | of all kinds | me | they will come to, | I say.
Nadánlkai si dahazlágo adïsní`
White corn | me | it will come to, | I say.
Nadánltsoi si dahazlágo adïsní`
Yellow corn | me | it will come to, | I say.
Nadán altasaí si dahazlágo adïsní`
Corn | of all kinds, | me | it will come to, | I say.
Nanisé altasaí si dahazlágo adïsní`
Growing things | of all kinds, | me | they will come to, | I say.
Kos dïlyï'l yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Clouds | dark | beautiful, | me | they will come to, | I say.
Nïltsabaká yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Male rain | beautiful, | me | it will come to, | I say.
A dï*l*yï'*l* ya*s*óni *s*i da*h*azlágo adï*s*ní
Cloud | dark | beautiful, | me | it will come to, | I say.
Nïltsabaád yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Female rain | beautiful, | me | it will come to, | I say.
Atsïnïltlï's yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Lightning | beautiful, | me | it will come to, | I say.
Natsílït yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Rainbow | beautiful, | me | it win come to, | I say.
Tadïtdín yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Pollen | beautiful, | me | it will come to, | I say.
Anïlta'ni yasóni si dahazlágo adïsní`
Grasshoppers | beautiful, | me | it will come to, | I say.
Sïtsï'dze hozógo naságo adïsní`
Before me | happily, | I travel, | I say.
Sïkéde hozógo naságo adïsní`
Behind me | happily, | I travel, | I say.
Siyági hozógo naságo adïsní`
Below me | happily, | I travel, | I say.
Sïkígi hozógo naságo adïsní`
Above me | happily, | I travel, | I say.
Sïnáde daáltso hozógo naságo adïsní`
Around me | all | happily, | I travel, | I say.
Sáan nagaí nïslíngo naságo adïsní`
In old age | wandering | am I, | I travel, | I say.
Biké hozógo nïslíngo naságo adïsní`
Its trail | happily | am I, | I travel, | I say.
Hozógo naságo adïsní`
Happily | I travel, | I say.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is finished.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is finished.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is finished.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is finished.

Notes

[1] Kininaékai is White House in Chelly Cañon, Arizona.

[2] Mem. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., Vol. 6.

[3] For a description of White House see The Night Chant, p. 89.

[4] Perhaps I should say a Hastséyalti, for there are many. This may have been the special Hastséyalti of Red Rock House. Compare The Night Chant, p. 9, and Navaho Legends, Mem. of Am. Folk-Lore Society, Vol. 5, p. 224.

[5] Kethawns are small sticks or cigarettes used by Navahoes as sacrifices to the gods. Consult The Night Chant, p. 36, and Navaho Legends, p. 42.

[6] Ni na*h*oká dine or People on the Earth is a name applied to all Indians, as distinguished from white men, and from holy people or deities.

[7] Lines 16 and 17, which end so many Navaho songs, are essentially a prayer for a happy old age.

[8] See The Night Chant, p. 311, and pl. V, fig. D.

[9] See The Night Chant, p. 171.

[10] See The Night Chant, p. 307; Navaho Legends, p. 238.

[11] Thus says the story, but this part of the ceremony is usually omitted of late, because sacred buckskins are so hard to get. Information as to sacred buckskins will be found in Navaho Legends, p. 24.

[12] The upper story of White House is painted white; the lower story is the natural yellow of yellow sandstone. The Navahoes do not think this the result of a mere whim, but that it is intentional and symbolic. White is the color of he east in Navaho symbolism, and they suppose the upper story was sacred to Hastséyalti, or Talking God, who was a god of dawn and of the east. Yellow is the symbolic color of the west, and they suppose the lower story belonged to Hastséhogan, or House God, who was a god of the west and of the evening twilight.

[13] Yuni is the place of honor reserved for guests and the head of the house behind the fire opposite the door.

[14] Lines 10 and 11 of Prayer appear to be modern growths, even if the whole cultus and myth is not modern. Yet something may be said to the contrary. The word which I translate horses (Lin) refers also to any sort of a pet or domestic animal, and the word for sheep (Debé) originally meant the wild Rocky Mountain sheep or bighorn. It is now employed to designate the domestic sheep, while the bighorn is now called tsé`ta debé or sheep-among-rocks.

[15] Male rain (nï'ltsa baká) means a shower accompanied by thunder and lightning. Female rain (nï'ltsa baád) means a shower without electric display. See The Night Chant, p. 6.

[16] Meaningless

[17] A black snake guards the door.

[18] Meaningless.

[19] Unusual form, probably a contraction with a meaningless syllable.

[20] Meaningless.

[21] The usual form is dzil, not dzil.

[22] This line was omitted in rendering the song to the Editor in 1906.

[23] Meaningless.

[24] The suffix -go in all the words of this prayer has the force "of this sort" I am, my moccasins are, etc.

A Prayer of the Second Day of the Night Chant

(See The Night Chant, p. 81, par. 355.)

From the base of the east.
From the base of the Pelado Peak.
From the house made of mirage,
From the story made of mirage,
From the doorway of rainbow,
The path out of which is the rainbow,
The rainbow passed out with me.
S. The rainbow raised up with me.
Through the middle of broad fields,
The rainbow returned with me.
To where my house is visible,
The rainbow returned with me.
To the roof of my house,
The rainbow returned with me.
To the entrance of my house,
The rainbow returned with me.
To just within my house,
The rainbow returned with me.
To my fireside,
The rainbow returned with me.
To the center of my house,
The rainbow returned with me.
At the fore part of my house with the dawn,
The Talking God sits with me.
The House God sits with me.
Pollen Boy sits with me.
Grasshopper Girl sits with me.
In beauty Estsánatlehi, my mother, for her I return.
Beautifully my fire to me is restored.
Beautifully my possessions are to me restored.
Beautifully my soft goods to me are restored.
Beautifully my hard goods to me are restored.
Beautifully my horses to me are restored.
Beautifully my sheep to me are restored.
Beautifully my old men to me are restored.
Beautifully my old women to me are restored.
Beautifully my young men to me are restored.
Beautifully my women to me are restored.
Beautifully my children to me are restored.
Beautifully my wife to me is restored.
Beautifully my chiefs to me are restored.
Beautifully my country to me is restored.
Beautifully my fields to me are restored.
Beautifully my house to me is restored.
Talking God sits with me.
House God sits with me.
Pollen Boy sits with me.
Grasshopper Girl sits with me.
Beautifully white corn to me is restored.
Beautifully yellow corn to me is restored.
Beautifully blue corn to me is restored.
Beautifully corn of all kinds to me is restored.
In beauty may I walk.
All day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons may I walk.
(Translation uncertain.)
Beautifully will I possess again.
(Translation uncertain.)
Beautifully birds . . .
Beautifully joyful birds
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk.
With dew about my feet may I walk.
With beauty may I walk.
With beauty before me, may I walk.
With beauty behind me, may I walk.
With beauty above me, may I walk.
With beauty below me, may, I walk.
With beauty all around me, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.
It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.
From the base of the south.
From the base of the San Mateo mountain.

(The rest as in Part I, except that 65 and 66 and also 67 and 68 are transposed.)

From the base of the west.
From the base of the San Francisco mountain.

(The rest as in Part 1.)

From the base of the north.
From the base of the San Juan mountains.

(The rest as in Part II; but "It is finished in beauty" is repeated four times.)

Haá` biyáden
The East | from its base.
Dzïlnadzï'ni biyáden
Pelado Peak | from its base.
Hadáhonige behogánden
Mirage | house made of from.
Hadáhonige bedahonikáden
Mirage | having its foundation of from.
Natsílït dadïnláden
Rainbow | the doorway from.
Natsílït biké dzétïn
Rainbow | its trail | the passage out.
Natsílït sïltséïndel
Rainbow | with me it went out.
Natsílït sïldáindidel
Rainbow | with me it went higher.
Daiké hot`él elnígi
Field | broad | in the middle
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with me it returned.
Sóhogan bitsíhastigi
My house | from where it could be seen
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with we it returned.
Sóhogan sitkíge
My house | its roof
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with me it returned.
Sóhogan dzeetín
My house | the entrance
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with me it returned.
Sóhogan bahastláde
My house | just inside
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with me it returned
Sóhogan honïshá`de
My house | the hearth
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with me it returned.
Sóhogan yahalnígë
My house | the center
Natsílït sïlnáhindel
Rainbow | with me it returned.
Hayolkál bësóhogan ntsitlági
The dawn | with my house | fore part
Hastséyalti sïlnaneské`
Talking God | with me he sits.
Hastséhogan sïlnaneské`
House God | with me he sits.
Tadïtdín Aski sïlnaneské`
Pollen Boy | with me he sits.
Anilta'ni Atét sïlnaneské`
Grasshopper | Girl | with me she sits.
Hozógo Estsánatlehi samá bananestsá
Happily | Woman Who Rejuvenates | my mother | for her I return.
Hozógo sókon sïnastlín
Happily | my fire | is restored to me.
Hozógo sinalyée sïnastlín
Happily | my possessions | are restored to me.
Hozógo soyúde sïnastlín
Happily | my soft goods | are restored to me.
Hozógo sintlíz sïnastlín
Happily | my hard goods | are restored to me.
Hozógo sïlín sïnastlín
Happily | my horses | are restored to me.
Hozógo sidebé sïnastlín
Happily | my sheep | are restored to me.
Hozógo sahastúe sïnastlín
Happily | my old men | are restored to me.
Hozógo sizáni sïnastlín
Happily | my old women | are restored to me.
Hozógo sitsilké sïnastlín
Happily | my young men | are restored to me.

38 Hozógo sídzíke sïnastlín
Happily | my young women | are restored to me.

Hozógo saltsíni sïnastlín
Happily | my children | are restored to me.
Hozógo bïlhinisnáni sïnastlín
Happily | my wife (or husband) | are restored to me
Hozógo sinantaí sïnastlín
Happily | my chiefs | are restored to me.
Hozógo sikéya sïnastlín
Happily | my country | is restored to me.
Hozógo sidaiké sïnastlín
Happily | my fields | are restored to me.
Hozógo sagán sïnastlín
Happily | my house | is restored to me.
Hastséyalti sïlnaneské'
Talking God | with me he sits.
Hastséhogan sïlnaneské'
House God | with me he sits.
Tadïtdín Askí sïlnaneské'
Pollen | Boy | with me he sits.
Anilta'ni Atét sïlnaneské'
Grasshopper | Girl | with me she sits.
Hozógo nadánlkai sïnastlín
Happily | white corn | is restored to me.
Hozógo nadánltsoi sïnastlín
Happily | yellow corn | is restored to me.
Hozógo nadándotlïzi sïnastlín
Happily | blue corn | is restored to me.
Hozógo nadán altasaí sïnastlín
Happily | corn | of all kinds | is restored to me.
Hozógo nasádo
Happily | may I walk.
Daládjin (?) nahatígo nasádo
All day long | | may I walk.
Tasí akenahotlédo nasádo
Thus | becoming again | may I walk.
Hozógo dalási nahádo
Happily | |
Hozógo ase nahotlédo
Happily | | I will get again.
Hozógo dasé ïndïntëso
Happily | (?) | (?)
Hozógo ayás indantáhi danditségo nasádo
Happily | birds | (?) | (?) | may I walk.
Hozógo ayás bahozóni danditségo nasádo
Happily | birds | joyful | may I walk.
Tadïtdín bekeétin nasádo
Pollen | its trail marked with | may I walk.
Anilta'ni bidesísgo nasádo
Grasshoppers | about my feet | may I walk.
Dató bidesísgo nasádo
Dew | about my feet | may I walk.
Hozógo nasádo
Happily | may I walk.
Sitsídze hozógo nasádo
Me before toward | happily | may I walk.
Sïkédze hozógo nasádo
Me toward behind | happily | may I walk.
Siyádze hozógo nasádo
Me toward below | happily | may I walk.
Sikï'dze hozógo nasádo
Me toward above | happily | may I walk.
Sïná taáltso hozógo nasádo
Me around | all | happily | may I walk.
Sáan nagaí biké hozógo neslíndo nasádo
Old age | wandering | its trail | happily | I will be | may I walk.
Sáan nagaí biké hozógo nasïstlíngo nasádo
Old age | wandering | its trail | happily | again living | may I walk.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is restored.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is restored.
Sadaá` biyáde
The south | from its base,
Tsódzïl biyáde
Mt. San Mateo | from its base.

(The rest as in part I except that lines 65 and 66, and 67 and 68 are transposed.)

Iná` biyáde
The west | from its base,
Dokooslít biyáde
San Francisco Mt. | from its base.

(The rest as in part I.)

Náhokos biyáde
The north | from its base
Debéntsa biyáde
San Juan Mts. | from its base

(The rest as in part II except that "Hozó nahastlín" is repeated four times.)

A Prayer of the Fourth Day of the Night Chant

(See The Night Chant, p. 97, par. 426.)

Tse`gíhi.
House made of the dawn.
House made of evening light.
House made of the dark cloud.
House made of male rain.
House made of dark mist.
House made of female rain.
House made of pollen.
House made of grasshoppers.
Dark cloud is at the door.
The trail out of it is dark cloud.
The zigzag lightning stands high up on it.
Male deity!
Your offering I make.
I have prepared a smoke for you.
Restore my feet for me.
Restore my legs for me.
Restore my body for me.
Restore my mind for me.
Restore my voice for me.
This very day take out your spell for me.
Your spell remove for me.
You have taken it away for me.
Far off it has gone.
Happily I recover.
Happily my interior becomes cool.
Happily I go forth.
My interior feeling cold, may I walk.
No longer sore, may I walk.
Impervious to pain, may I walk.
With lively feelings may I walk.
As it used to be long ago, may I walk.
Happily may I walk.
Happily with abundant dark clouds, may I walk.
Happily with abundant showers, may I walk.
Happily with abundant plants, may I walk.
Happily on a trail of pollen, may I walk.
Happily may I walk.
Being as it used to be long ago, may I walk.
May it be happy (or beautiful) before me.
May it be beautiful behind me.
42, May it be beautiful below me.
May it be beautiful above me.
May it be beautiful all around me.
In beauty it is finished.
In beauty it is finished.
Dark mist is at the door.
The trail out of it is dark mist.
The male rain stands high upon it.

(With the exception of these lines and lines 40 and 41, which change places, the second part of the prayer is identical with the first. At the end it has "In beauty it is finished," repeated four times.)

Tse`gíhi
Tse'gihi
Hayolkál behogán
Dawn | house made of.
Nahotsoí behogán
Evening light | house made of.
Kósdïlyïl behogán
Dark cloud | house made of.
Niltsabaká behogán
Male rain | house made of.
A`'dïlyïl behogán
Dark fog | house made of.
Nïltsabaád behogán
Female rain | house made of.
Tadïtdín behogán
Pollen | house made of.
Anïltani behogán
Grasshoppers | house made of.
Kósdïlyïl dadïnlá'
Dark cloud | doorposts.
Kósdïlyïl bïké dzeétin
Dark cloud | his road | the exit.
Atsïnitlís yíke dasizíni
Lightening | on top | standing up.
Hastsébaka
O, Male Divinity!
Nigél islá`,
Your offering | I make.
Nadíhila`
For you I have prepared.
Sïké saádïlil
My feet | for me restore.
Sïtsát saádïlil
My legs | for me restore.
Sïtsís saádïlil
My body | for me restore.
Sï'ni saádïlil
My mind | for me restore.
Sïné saádïlil
My voice | for me restore.
Tádïsdzin naalíl saádïlil
This very day | your spell for me | you will take out.
Naalíl sahanéïnla`
Your spell | for me is removed.
Sïtsádze tahï'ndïnla`
Away from me | you have taken it.
Nïzágo nastlín
Far off | it has gone.
Hozógo nadedisdál
Happily | I will recover.
Hozógo sïtáha dïnokél
Happily | my interior | will be cool.
Hozógo tsïdïsál
Happily | I shall go forth.
Sitáha honezkázigo nasádo
My interior | being cool | may I walk.
Dosatéhigo nasádo
No longer sore | may I walk.
Dosohodilnígo nasádo
Impervious to pain | may I walk.
Saná` nislíngo nasádo
My feelings | being lively | may I walk.
Daalkída kitégo nasádo
Long ago | as it was | may I walk.
Hozógo kósdïlyïl senahotlédo nasádo
Happily | clouds dark | receiving again | may I walk.
Hozógo nasádo
Happily | may I walk.
Hozógo sedahwiltíndo nasádo
Happily | having abundant showers | may I walk.
Hozógo nánise senahotlédo nasádo
Happily | growing plants | receiving again | may I walk.
Hozógo tadïtdín keheetíngo nasádo
Happily | pollen | its trail | may I walk.
Hozógo nasádo
Happily | may I walk.
Tasé alkídzi ahonílgo nasádo
Thus | as it used to be | it having happened | may I walk.
Sïtsídze hozódo
Before me | may it be happy.
Sïkéde hozódo
Behind me | may it be happy.
Siyáde hozódo
Below me | may it be happy.
Sïkide hozódo
Above me | may it be happy.
Sïná taáltso hozódo
Around me | all | may it be happy.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is restored.
Hozó nahastlín
Happily | it is restored.
A'di*l*yi*l* dadïnlá.
dark fog | door posts.
A`'dilyil biké dzeétin
Dark fog | its trail | the exit.
Niltsabaká yíke dasizíni.
Male rain | on top | standing up.

(The second part of the prayer is identical with the first part except that lines 40 and 41 change places and the lines given above take the places of the corresponding lines in part I. The concluding lines are said four times instead of twice.)

The Story of Bekotsidi

Békotsïdi and Sun Bearer (Tsínihanoai) made all the animals while they were sitting together in the same room,-- Békotsïdi in the north, Tsínihanoai in the south. While the former was making a horse, the latter was making an antelope, and this is why the antelope is so much like a horse. It has a mane and no small back toes as the deer has.

Both of the gods sang while they were at work, and this was the song that Békotsïdi sang to bless all that he was making. It was the first song which he sang at this work.

Now Békotsïdi, that am I. For them I make.
Now child of Day Bearer am I. For them I make.
Now Day Bearer's beam of blue. For them I make.
Shines on my feet and your feet too. For them I make.
Horses of all kinds now increase. For them I make.
At my finger's tips and yours. For them I make.
Beasts of all kinds now increase. For them I make.
S. The bluebirds now increase. For them I make.
Soft goods of all kinds now increase. For them I make.
Now with the pollen they increase. For them I make.
Increasing now, they will last forever. For them I make.
In old age wandering on the trail of beauty. For them I make.
To form them fair, for them I labor. For them I make.

After he had made the animals, he sang another song the refrain of which is "Kat hadzídila`, now they are made." As the animals began to breed, he sang another song appropriate to this, and when they were multiplying abundantly, he sang a fourth song, the burden of which was Keanádildzïsi, which means, they are multiplying.

While Day Bearer was making the horse and domestic sheep, Békotsïdi was making antelope and bighorn. While Day Bearer was making a goat, Békotsïdi was making a cow. While the former was making a deer, the latter was making an elk. Then Day Bearer began to make a mule and Bekotsidi began to make a donkey, and the former said: "I shall stop with this; I shall make no more." But Békotsïdi said, "I shall continue my work." Then he made the jack-rabbit, the small rabbit, the prairie-dog, the wood-rat, and many more animals. [1]

No pictures were drawn of Bekotsidi and no one masquerades in his form. His appearance is not known. [2]

Four songs and no more belong to this tale. If you want a fine horse, sing the second and third songs, say a prayer, and you will get the horse. In your prayer specify the color and kind of a horse you desire., It will come to you from the house of Day Bearer.

The name Békotsïdi signifies "He tries to catch it." He got his name while he was out hunting. An indecent story is told to account for this.

The first iron-gray horse was made of turquoise, the first red (sorrel) horse of red stone (carnelian ?), the first black horse of cannel coal, the first white horse of white shell, and the first piebald horse of haliotis shell. So horses are now, according to their color, called after the different substances of which the first horses were made, Thus the Navahoes speak of dolï'zi lin. (turquoise or gray horse), bástsïli lin (red stone or sorrel hors e), bászïni lin (cannel coal or black horse), yolkaí lin (haliotis or spotted horse).

The hoofs of the first horse were made of tse`hadáhonige, or mirage stone, a stone on which paints are ground. Such stones

are added to earth from six sacred mountains to form their most potent medicine. A shaman will not treat a diseased horse without this. It is used, too, when they pray for increase of stock and increase of wealth.

E'ya aíya éya aíya ai eena

Kat Békotsïdi kat si nïslín Bahatsidïlés
Now | Békotsïdi | now | I | am. | For them I make.
Kat Tsínihanoai bigé kat si nïslin'go Bahatsidïlés
Now | Day Bearer | his son | now | I | am. | For them I make.
Kat Tsínihanoai bitlól(el) dolï'zigo Bahatsidïlés
Now | Day Bearer | his beams | blue. | For them I make.
Sïké latá kat niké níti Bahatsidïlés
My feet | ends of | now | | your feet run into. | For them I make.
Lin altasaí kat la nadïldzï'si Bahatsidïlés
Horses | of all kinds | now | | are increasing. | For them I make.
Sïla latá kat nïlá níti Bahatsidïlés
My hands | ends of | now | your hands | run into. | For them I make.
Díni altasaí kat la nadïldzï'si Bahatsidïlés
Animals | of all kinds | now | | are increasing. | For them I make.
Kat ayás dolï'zi kat la nadïldzï'si Bahatsidïlés
Now | birds | blue | now | | are increasing. | For them I make.
Yúdi altasaí kat la nadïldzï'si Bahatsidïlés
Soft goods | of all kinds | now | | are increasing. | For them I make.
Kat bïtadïtdín bïl la nadïldzï'si Bahatsidïlés
Now | its pollen | with | | are increasing. | For them I make.
Kéa nadïld*z*ï'*s*i ka*t* dónidïnës Bahatsidïlés
More and more | are increasing | now | they will last forever. | For them I make.
Kat sáan nagaí kat bike hozóni. Bahatsidïlés
Now | in old age | wandering | now | its trail | beautiful. | For them I make.
Tentíngo [3] la` baanïslé Bahatsidïlés
To make them well | | for them I do it. | For them I make.

REFRAIN.

Baanaslési en an etc.
For them I make. | |

Notes

[1] Hatáli Natlói does not know in what order these small animals were made, and does not know if Bekotsidi made snakes and fish.

[2] * Hatál*i Natlói does not know where he lives; but thinks he dwells either in the sky or in Estsánatlehi's house in the western ocean.

[3] The author was uncertain about this word. An informant has suggested dantingo, "several paths."

Protection Song

(To be sung on going into battle.)

Now, Slayer of the Alien Gods, among men am I.
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Rubbed with the summits of the mountains,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Now upon the beautiful trail of old age,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.

Now, Offspring of the Water, among men am I.
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Rubbed with the water of the summits,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Now upon the beautiful trail of old age,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.

Now, Lightning of the Thunder, among men am I.
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Rubbed with the summit of the sky,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Now upon the beautiful trail of old age,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.

Now, Altsodoniglehi, among men am I.
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Rubbed with the summits of the earth,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.
Now upon the beautiful trail of old age,
Now among the alien gods with weapons of magic am I.

A'yeyeyeyahai`
(Meaningless).

Kat Nayénëzgani si nïslín nitá`
Now | Nayénezgani | I | am | people among.

nagée nagée alíli kat bïtása
alien gods, | alien gods, | weapons | now | among them I walk.

Dzïl hotsï's tsï'da hweztaníta`
Mountains | tops of | truly | I am rubbed with,

nagée nagée alíli kat bïtása
alien gods, | alien gods, | weapons | now | among them I walk.

Kat sáan nagée kat biké hozóni si nïslín
Now | in old age | wandering | now | its trail | beautiful | I | am.

nagée nagée alíli kat bïtása
alien gods | alien gods | weapons | now | among them I walk.

Kat Tóbadzistsíni si nïslín nitá`
Now | Tóbadzistsíni | I | am, | among them