Viewing page 95 of 137

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

^[[Dec [[20?]]
[[line]]
Questions Ans.
about childrens
names
[[line]]
Copied x---x.]]

Pawnee, O. T
Dec. 3rd, "98.

My Friend, yours the 29th last month just reached me- so I write & answer questions.

[[marginalia, on left side indicating remainder of letter]
x-----copied-----x
[[/marginalia]]

1st question - Children had common names-

          (white)  (round)    (Bird)
for boys Tah-Kah-  Pah-roots-    Lecoots-

          (sweet)  Flat or fatty   bright eyes
for girls Ket-cho  sch'a-toose     she-re-Ki-

2 ques- answered above-

3rd " [[ditto for: ques]] Any time when the parents have done some great deed either by charity or by taking scalp. Now it is only when there's Pipe Dance- That is the time nearly every child receives a name-

4 He does not wait if his parents are well to do so they can give something away and have him receive a name.

5 The ritual must be repeated or the child will have no name. When Indians hears the ritual they flock around the Priest so they can receive or help give another a name- [[Paragraph symbol]] In old times a young man kept the name Tah-Kah or (Ke-wa ko ^Fox) or whatever common name he had until he had joined some successful war party- then he can have his name changed at their wolf dances by paying the priest something and the priest going through the ritual-

6 [[underlined]] question [[/underlined]] Parents of the child: and if they do not know their ancestors name they ask the grandparents of the children- I hope this is plain and wish success- Remember me to Francis-

I remain Your Friend
James R. Murie