Dedication of a New House (Navaho)
Man (scattering white cornmeal about the circumference of the room):
May it be delightful, my house;
From my head may it be delightful;
To my feet may it be delightful;
Where I lie may it be delightful;
Above me may it be delightful;
All around me may it be delightful.
May it be delightful and well, my fire.
(flinging meal up the smoke-hole)
May it be delightful, Sun, my mother’s ancestor, for this gift;
May it be delightful as I walk around my house.
(sprinkling meal out the doorway)
May it be delightful, this road of light (the path of the Sun) my mother’s ancestor.
Woman (making meal, offering to the fire, says quietly):
May it be delightful, my fire;
May it be delightful for my children; may all be well;
May it be delightful with my food and theirs; may all be well;
All my possessions well may they be made.
All my flocks well may they be made.
(That is, may they all be healthy and increase.)