after the house is finished an arrangement is made with some
shaman (_qacal'i_, devotional singer) to come and sing the ceremonial
house songs. For this service he always receives a fee from those who
engage him, perhaps a few sheep or their value, sometimes three or four
horses or their equivalent, according to the circumstances of the house
builders. The social gathering at the _qo[.g]an b[)i]g[)i]'n_ is much
the same as that of the _qo[.g]an aiila_, when the house is built,
except that more people are usually invited to the former. They feast
and smoke, interchange scandal, and talk of other topics of interest,
for some hours. Presently the _qacal'i_ seats himself under the main
west timber so as to face the east, and the singing begins.

In this ceremony no rattle is used. The songs are begun by the shaman
in a drawling tone and all the men join in. The _qacal'i_ acts only as
leader and director. Each one, and there are many of them in the tribe,
has his own particular songs, fetiches, and accompanying ceremonies,
and after he has pitched a song he listens closely to hear whether the
correct words are sung. This is a matter of great importance, as the
omission of a part of the song or the incorrect rendering of any word
would entail evil consequences to the house and its inmates. All the
house songs of the numerous _qacal'i_ are of similar import but differ
in minor details.

The first song is addressed to the east, and is as follows:

_House song to the East_

_Qa'adje_ _biyadje_ _beqo[.g]an_ _aiila_
Far in the east far below there a house was made;

_Qojon_ _qo[.g]ane_
Delightful house.

_Qastceyalci_ _bebiqo[.g]an_ _aiila_
God of Dawn there his house was made;

_Qojon_ _qo[.g]ane_
Delightful house.

_Qayol'kal'_ _bebiqo[.g]an_ _aiila_
The Dawn there his house was made;

_Qojon_ _qo[.g]ane_
Delightful house.

_Naca[ng] l'akai_ _bebiqo[.g]an_ _aiila_
White Corn there its house was made;

_Qojon_ _qo[.g]ane_
Delightful house.

_Yu'ci alcqasai_ _bebiqo[.g]an_ _aiila_
Soft possessions for them a house was made;

_Qojon_ _qo[.g]ane_
Delightful house.

_Co'l'a_ _nastcin_ _bebiqo[.g]an_ _aiila_,
Water in plenty surrounding for it a house was made;

_Qojon_ _qo[.g]ane_
Delightful house.

_Cqac[)i]ci[ng]_ _bebiqo[.g]an_ _aiila_
Corn pollen for i