University of Virginia Library

The White Painted Woman, on the earth, her mind has been created.

(41.5)[5]
'Isdzánádleeshéń ndiibikázhiͅ, bíndii gooslíͅ.
Díídíí yeehanáyołí,
Díí bits'ísí,
Díí bigáleí.

Dánahík'eh 'áí beenahigále.
Doodáłee'é jíͅ gózhóͅ bíká 'áńndida!

Díídíí ndiií dánheest'óí 'ázhiͅ,
Yáí dánheest'óí 'ázhiͅ,
Dádzaͅaͅeená dighiͅ ná'godzii.
'Áłchinéne'át'éyó díík'eh bánahíndii.
The White Painted Woman, on the earth, her mind has been created.
This is that by means of which she breathes,
This is her body,
This is her strength.
The strength of all of us is made of that.[6]
Do not say that it is good for only one day![7]
On this earth which has become old,
In the sky which has become old,
Only in this place does power remain.
We want it for all of those who are children.[8]
 
[_]
(41.5) Linguistic Notes

[a typo in the original labels this section '41.15'-- MEC.]

1. ndiií dánheest'óí 'ázhiͅ 'on the earth which has become old'. ndiií 'earth'; 'ázhiͅ 'to there, on there'. - 'just' plus the perf. of ni-hi-... [si- perf.]-t'oo 'to wear out, to become old' [act. intr.].

2. ná'godzii 'it remains, survives, is left over' [no analysis].

[_]
Ethnological Note 6
That is, the strength of a woman and her ability to carry on tasks of womanhood is directly attributable to this ceremony.
[_]
Ethnological Note 7
That is, let the benefits of the ceremony continue throughout a long and fruitful life.
[_]
Ethnological Note 8
These sentences neatly mirror the Apache conception of changeless supernatural power and the desirability of manipulating it for personal benefits.