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Mostly Derived from Events in the Myth |
| Group I Blessing Way, several branches: Used to invoke good luck, good health, and blessing, to obviate the bad effects of mistakes in ceremonials, to dispel fear from bad dreams, for protection of flocks and herds, to cure insanity, to consecrate ceremonial paraphernalia, to cure the prenatal effects of an eclipse, or to install a chief or head man. From it are derived the girls' puberty rite, and the seed-blessing rite | |
| Group II Holy Way: The chants in this group are used to conteract offenses against the Holy People and contact with dangerous forces. They mainly promote goodness and attract holiness. | |
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Hail Way (probably extinct) |
Used for persons injured by water, for frozen feet, muscle soreness, tirednes, lameness |
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Water Way (probably extinct) |
Used for promoting rain, for paralysis, resuscitation from drowning, deafness |
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Shooting Way Male & Female Branches |
Used to conteract infection from lightning, snames, and arrows. Also for colds, fevers, rheumatism, paralysis, and abdominal pain |
| Red Ant Way | Used to counteract diseases said to be caused by red ants. Urinating on an anthill might cause anuria, hematuria, bladder stones, pelvic pain, venereal disease, or other kidney and bladder troubles. Swallowing an ant might cause stomach or intestinal distress or fever. An ant bite might cause itching, skin sores, rashes, boils, swellings, or other skin diseases. Spitting on an anthill might cause a sore throat. Used for the bite of any venomous insect or spider, and also for rheumatism, stiff joints, and bent back |
| Big Star Way | Uses not given |
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Mountaintop Way several branches |
Used for "porcupine sickness" (constipation, anuria, gallbladder trouble), internal pain, and "bear sickness" (mental illness) |
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Prostitution Way Male & Female Branches |
Used to counteract mania and prostitution |
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Beauty Way Male & Female Branches |
Used for snake bite, rheumatism, sore throat, stomach trouble, kidney and bladder trouble, abdominal trouble, aching feet, legs, arms, back, or waist, swollen ankles and knees, itching skin, painful urination, dry throat, mental confusion, fear, loss of consciousness |
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Night Way many branches |
Used for diseases of the head, such as blindness, deafness, or insanity. Also for cases of "deer infection" which causes a kind of rheumatism |
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Dogway (extinct) |
Uses unknown |
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Big God Way (probably extinct) |
Used for blindness and stiffness |
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Plume Way (Feather Chant) |
Used for diseases of the head, similar to uses of Night Way |
| Coyote Way | Used to counteract prostitution, mania, rabies, sore throat, and stomach trouble |
| Navajo Wind Way | Used for any disease caused by "wind infection," (especially heart and lung trouble); "snake infection," (characterized by stomach trouble); and "cactus infection," (characterized by general body itching and eye trouble) |
| Hand-Trembling Way | Used for hand-trembling sickness, nervousness, and mental disturbance |
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Eagle-Trapping Way Bead Way |
Used to counteract "eagle infection," head diseases, boils and sores, sore throat, swollen legs, vomiting, and itching |
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Awl Way (extinct) |
Used for headaches, baldness, and for those who have violated restrictions on making baskets |
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Earth Way (extinct) |
Used to counteract "earth infection" or bad dreams involving the earth |
| Group III Life Way: The main chant is Flint Way, which has several branches. The uses are quite specific for injuries resulting from accidents: sprains, strains, fractures, cuts, and burns | |
| Group IV Evil Way: All ceremonies in this group are used to exorcise evil spirits | |
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Moving Up Way (Upward Reaching Way) |
Probably directed against native ghosts |
| Red Ant, Evil Way | Used for diseases of the kidney and bladder |
| Big Star, Evil Way | Used for persons breaking taboos in handling the dead, to exorcise evil power, or for fear of darkness |
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Evil Way Male & Female Shooting Branches |
Used for ghost sickness, dreams of ghosts or evil spirits, venereal disease, fear at night |
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Hand-Trembling, Evil Way (extinct) |
Uses unknown |
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Reared in Earth Way (extinct) |
Uses unknown |
| Enemy Way | Used for infections from aliens, for marriage or contact with foreigners (including Anglos and Mexicans) |
| Group V War Ceremonials: This group consists of chants and prayers used in raiding and warfare. Not in use at present | |
| Group VI Game Way: This group consists of rituals used in hunting the four sacred animals: bear, eagle, deer, and antelope. Not in use at present | |