Myths and legends of the New York state Iroquois . my assent. I make a signmotion with the pipe, and, raising it to my lips, with one inhala-tion promise and declare loyalty forever to the silences of theNe-gar-na-gar-ah. After my vow the pipe of each in the room, including those offour elderly women, is lighted by the chief, who carries the burningpunk in his hand; thus performing the rite of community offriendship. During the smoking the legend of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah is relatedto me by a chief of the Wolf Clan and interpreted by my host whosits by my side. After a wait of a few minutes the
Myths and legends of the New York state Iroquois . my assent. I make a signmotion with the pipe, and, raising it to my lips, with one inhala-tion promise and declare loyalty forever to the silences of theNe-gar-na-gar-ah. After my vow the pipe of each in the room, including those offour elderly women, is lighted by the chief, who carries the burningpunk in his hand; thus performing the rite of community offriendship. During the smoking the legend of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah is relatedto me by a chief of the Wolf Clan and interpreted by my host whosits by my side. After a wait of a few minutes the lamp is blown out and all isdarkness. I sit near the window, but I can not see the lowestbranch of the apple tree, which, blown by the wind, is scratching thepanes with a ghostly touch. The hush is heavy and there be around me twenty-five people in this dark stillness?I clasp my hands together with a pinching clutch, and recall theinjunction of my host to continually remember the legend of thechiefs journey. -EGENDS 179 E-. -P. ^ p J. A Mohawk Medicine Woman Courtesy of the Metropolitan Magazim l8o NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM I remember then that this darkness must symbolize the awfulnight that came upon him. Sure that the winged light will float into the room fromsome place, I wink my eyes wider open, and at last see a faint lightwhere the table stands. Yes, the light .that comes and goes isclearly defined. I know that there is nothing supernatural in theceremonies of the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah but I still sit and wonder. My host whispers: Watch, they have uncovered the medicine. I comprehend. I had been told that the Ne-gar-na-gar-ah,possessed of certain phosphorescent elements, would emit a lumi-nous glow when first exposed to the air and darkness. At thesame instant a small blaze glows from the top of the stove. Bythis brighter and stronger light the medicine light fades in the darkness I see the venerable chanter standing bythe stove. He is throwing the sacr
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectiroquoi, bookyear1908
