<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>OMAHA BELIEFS</h2>
<p class="subtitle">Omaha</p>
<p><span class="dropcap">S</span>ong was an integral part of Omaha life.
Through song, the Omaha approached the mysterious
Wakoda; through song he voiced his
emotions, both individual and social; through song he
embodied feelings and aspirations that eluded expression
in words. In one of their ceremonies, the Wa´ wa,
“to sing for somebody,” songs are one of the chief
characteristics.</p>
<p>In this ceremony, the eagle is “Mother.” She calls
to her nestlings and upon her strong wings she bears
the message of peace. Peace and its symbol, the clear,
cloudless sky, are the theme of the principal songs.
The curlew, in the early morning, stretches its neck and
its wing as it sits on the roost, and utters a long note.
The sound is considered an indication that the day will
be cloudless.</p>
<p>Green represents the verdure of the earth; blue is
the color of the sky; red is the color of the sun, typifying
life. The eagle is the bird of tireless strength.
The owl represents night, and the woodpecker the
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</SPAN></span>
day and sun. These two birds also stand for life and
death.</p>
<p>Wakoda gives to man the sunshine, the clear sky
from which all storms, all clouds are absent; in the
Wa´ wa ceremony, they stand for peace. In this connection,
black storm clouds with their thunder and
lightning are emblematic of war.</p>
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