Distribution of Bean Sprouts, Dolls, and Other Objects
At sunrise of the last day of Powamû, two personations from each kiva distribute the sprouted beans, dolls, bows and arrows, moccasins, and other objects which have been made for that purpose. From their appearance at down they are called the Dawn (Telavai) katcinas, and in 1900 the following were observed performing this duty: Owa katcina, Malo katcina, Hehea katcina, Huhuan katcina, Sio Humis katcina, Tatcükti.
Shortly after this distribution a man personating Soyok wüqti went about Walpi holding conversations at the kivas and private houses, frightening children until they cried.
Collection of Food by Monsters
Later in the day three groups of Soyoko or monsters, each group consisting of four Natackas, one Natacka mana, one Hahai wüqti, one Hehea katcina, and two Hehea katcina manas, went to every house of their pueblo demanding food from the inmates, as they had notified the people they would eight days previously. Hahai wüqti acted as speaker, assuming a falsetto voice, the Natackas emphasized the demands, and Hehea, armed with lassos, tried to rope those who refused. It is customary for the boys to first offer Hahai wüqti a mole or rat on a stick. This is refused, and then a small piece of meat, generally mutton, is held out. The Natacka examines it and if not large enough hands it back as he did the rat, shaking his hideous head. When the desired quantity of meat is presented, it is given to the Natacka mana, who transfers it to a basket she carries on her back. The girl or woman is then asked for meal, and the offers meal that she has ground from the ear of corn presented by the monsters on their previous visit. This is refused and more meal is demanded until enough is given to satisfy the monsters, who transfer it to the basket of Natacka mana, after which they retire.[1]
Winter Lakone Paholawü
The Lalakontû have an assemblage in winter—a meeting of the chiefs, at which prayer sticks are made. This is held in Vensi's house near the Moñ kiva—the old house of the Patki clans. Vensi, the owner, is the oldest woman of the clan who is now active. No altar is put in place during this rite, which simply consists of prayers and songs.
- ↑ The monsters that visit the houses as described above are represented in a photograph taken at Walpi by Mr James Mooney and published with his permission in a paper in the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, as plate CV. The names of these, beginning at the right of the line, are: 1, Hahai wüqti; 2, Natacka naamû; 3, Soyok mana; 4, Soyok mana; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Natackas of different-colored masks; 10, 11, 12, Heheas.
