BackSong of the Rain Chant
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The Navajo
ceremonies are called "Chants." This is a song from the "Water,
or Rain, Chant." The Navajos tell of the Male-Rain and of the Female-Rain.
The Male-Rain is the Storm, with thunder and lightning; The Female-Rain is the
gentle shower. The two Rains meet on the mountains, and from their union springs
all vegetation upon the earth. The Rain-Mountain is a distant mountain west of
Zuni, and it is the home of the Rain-Youth, one of the divine Beings. The Rain-Youth
made the rain-songs and gave them to the Navajos. This song tells of him with
the rain feathers in his hair, coming with the rain, down from the Rain-Mountain,
through the corn, amid the song of swallows chirping with joy of the rain, and
through the pollen which covers him, so that the Rain-Youth himself is hidden,
and only a mist is seen, The Navajos say that it is well to be covered with holy
pollen, for such pollen is an emblem of peace. Song of the Rain-Chant:
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