The "'Idìyitá" Song
The "'idìyitá", "he makes it walk" ceremony, and the song's sole purpose is to aid children who are slow at learning to walk.
The "'Idìyitá" Song
He Makes It Walk Song
Traditional Song
Traditional Song
(Lipan Apache)
(English)
djùnà' ái bìdà' tíngè' t' á ìgaì dì gò'
bè dà' gùnòyè gè' dè yà tc' ìndí dì
djígùnà' ái bìjà jé' dá à' dj ' dè yà tc' ìndí d
'ìckî n dá à' dj ' dè yà h dè yà tc' ìndí d
djùnà' ái bì dùt ' ìjì bìnànt' à' nànt' à' dòxá yò'
bì ' ágòdo dí ì' bì dìs' èsts' tc' ìndí
djùnà' ái bè bì' ò' gùnòyè ì' yè
bì' ò' gùnòyè gò' dè yà tc' ìndì
nùgùsts' án biìká' 'ìyú ndzìní' dò à'
hà bídòl gò' dè yà tc' ìndí d
nùgùsts' án biìká' dé 'ì tc' ' òdàsdjà í'
bìyá tì' jò ní bìnàtsé kè s jò ní' bìdlùk jò ní
bínà lzé' 'í t' à' dá' jò dí dò bé' ó ltà' gò'
yèxáidèlà gò dè yà tc' ìndí d
'ìs' à' nà yái k' è' gòjó gò'
yèxáidèlà gò dè yà tc' ìndí d
Sun, his doorway outside, White water, four-ply
By, above, mirage at, he walks, they say.
Sun, his child one day he walks they say.
Boy, one day the one who walks, he walks they say.
Sun, his turquoise his chief, chief never
has he trouble with him sound approaches they say
Sun by, before him mirage by
before him mirage forming he walks they say.
Earth on top of, witches none
Can harm him, he walks they say
Earth on top of, people scattered about,
Their talk good, their thoughts good, their laughter good,
Their property of all kinds, good, uncountable
Having been prepared he walks they say.
Long life like, good, having been prepared he walks they say.
Notes
Through this song, the offering of prayer and life-long protection from evil is given. This ceremony can be performed for children before twelve months of age to ensure they will walk on or before their first year. When performing this ceremony a man or woman can perform the rites. If not done by a close blood relative, then hire a medicine man or medicine woman. The rite takes about ten minutes each night, repeated for four nights under a clear night sky. Give a gift of turquoise, made with downy eagle feathers.
Compiled by: Glenn Welker and Daniel Castro Romero Jr.
Comments
If anyone can help clarify the English translation, please email me. -Mama Lisa
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Glenn Welker for graciously allowing me to use these songs and illustrations. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!