Page 168 - TheHopiIndians

160 MESA FOLK OF HOPILAND

struct ion of a sand altar, initiation of novitiates, dis
patching of messengers, songs, etc., need not be en
tered into, since they belong to all the ceremonies and
have much in common.
On the morning of the fourth day, if one is up at the
faintest dawn he may see a procession emerging from
the kiva and marching single-file to deposit, with much
ceremony, offerings at a shrine. At six in the evening
of the eighth day a picturesque procession winds
down the trail among the rocks to the sacred spring,
where pahos are planted and rites performed. Then
cornea the stirring event, the race up the trail to the
kiva. Under the supervision of an old priest an even
start is made and the women run up the trail. As
Hopi women in contrast with the men are stout, the
chances are that a lithe, clean-limbed young girl will
win the goal over her breathless sisters.
At daybreak on the ninth day the Lalakonti race is
eagerly awaited by the spectators and by the Lakone
maid, who stands gorgeously costumed, basket in her
hand, on the trail by which the runners will come.
As the dawn brightens, they may be seen, mere specks
on the trail over the plain, and soon they run up the
trail to the villages amid great excitement and ap
plause for the winner. The priestesses have marched
to the dance plaza, where they form a circle, and as the
racers come they rush through the circle and this act
of the drama is over. Later in the day comes the
public dance, when the circle of priestesses, each car