The following ritual is recited on the occasion of taking a new name and is a dramatic poem in three parts.  The first gives briefly the institution of the rite of changing one’s name in consequence of a new achievement; the second shows how the man was enabled to accomplish this act.  It begins with his lonely vigil and fast when he cried to the powers for help; the scene then shifts to the circle of the lesser powers, who, in council, deliberate on his petition which makes its way to them and finally wins their consent; then the winds summon the messengers and these, gathering at the command of the lesser powers, are sent to earth to the man crying in lonely places, to grant him his desire.  This part closes with a few vivid words which set forth that only by the favor of the powers had the man been able to do the deed.  The third part deals with the man’s names—­the one to be discarded and the one now to be assumed.  The ritual is in rhythmic form, impossible to reproduce in English.  The following rendition contains nothing which is not in the original text as explained and amplified by the priest.

The ritual was intoned in a loud voice; the man who was to receive a new name stood before the priest where he could be seen by the entire assembly.

RITUAL

  Harken!  ’Twas thus it came to pass: 
      In ancient days, a Leader and his men
      Walked this wide earth, man’s vast abode
      Roofed by the heavens, where dwell the gods. 
      They reached a place the spot no man can tell,
      Faced dangers dread and vanquished them;
      Then, standing as if born anew to life,
      Each warrior threw away the name
      That had been his ere yet these deeds were done.

  Harken!  The Leader and his men
      Made there the Vict’ry song, and set the mark
      Ye must o’ertake, if ye would be like them!

  Harken!  The Leader and his men
      Turned then toward home.  Their Vict’ry song
      Proclaimed them near; the village rose,
      Looked toward the hill, where on the top
      Stood the brave men, singing their song,
      Heralding thus the favor of the gods
      By which they had surpassed all former deeds—­
      Made new their claim to be accounted men.

  Harken!  And whence, think ye, was borne
      Unto these men courage to dare,
      Strength to endure hardship and war? 
      Mark well my words, as I reveal
      How the gods help man’s feebleness. 
      The Leader of these warriors was a man
      Given to prayer.  Oft he went forth
      Seeking a place no one could find. 
      There would he stand and lift his voice,
      Fraught with desire that he might be
      Invincible, a bulwark ’gainst all foes
      Threat’ning his tribe, causing them fear. 
      Night-time and day this cry sped on,
      Traveling far, seeking to reach—­
  Harken!  Those places far above,
  Harken!  Within the circle vast
      Where sit the gods watching o’er men.