Songs of Kumastamxo (Yuma)
SONGS OF KUMASTAMXO
YUMA
I
WHEN THE SPIRIT-WIND APPROACHED
"The Wind is wandering, is wandering;
The Wind is wandering, is wandering."
The Wind is wandering, is wandering."
II
WHEN HE BURNT THE UNCLEAN HOUSE
"The house will burn, will burn.
The house will be crackling, will be crackling.
It will blaze.
We are going to dance.
It is going to be lighted.
It is going to be lighted.
It will blaze.
We are going to dance.
Something bird-like is coming. *
The house will be crackling, will be crackling.
It will blaze.
We are going to dance.
It is going to be lighted.
It is going to be lighted.
It will blaze.
We are going to dance.
Something bird-like is coming. *
Bird-like tracks will be about the place.
We are going to light this unclean house.
It will blaze, blaze."
III
WHEN HE MADE THE RIVER
"This is my water, my water.
This is my river, my river.
We love its water.
This is my river, my river.
We love its water.
We love its foamwood.
It shall flow forever.
It shall flow forever.
When the weather grows hot, it shall rise and overflow its banks.
It shall flow forever."
It shall flow forever.
It shall flow forever.
When the weather grows hot, it shall rise and overflow its banks.
It shall flow forever."
IV
AFTER HE HAD FINISHED HIS CREATING
"Into the earth I go down, go down.
Nothing but earth will I be seeing, will I be seeing.
I sink down into the old river-bed,
Down into the interior."
Nothing but earth will I be seeing, will I be seeing.
I sink down into the old river-bed,
Down into the interior."
V
WHEN HE BECAME THE EAGLE
"I am springing, springing.
Wing-feathers!
Body-feathers!
On my hands wing-feathers.
On my body body-feathers."
Wing-feathers!
Body-feathers!
On my hands wing-feathers.
On my body body-feathers."