Peach Stone Game "Kaientowa:nen"

Submitted by Native North American Travelling College

The seventh and final day of Sha’tekohsehkwen is the “Peach Stone Game” (kaientowa:nen) this is also called the “betting game.” This is the last ceremony given to us by the Creator. It is said by our elders that this game pleases the Creator very much. He enjoys watching his people participating in Kaientowa:nen. This is a game of sacrifice. People are to give up their most prized possessions to the Peach Stone Game. It is said by the elders never to be sad if you lose your items because it will be taken up to the Sky World and when we return to the Sky World we will see these items again. It is good to lose.

When the ceremony takes place in the long house the speakers have to announce who will be the bean counter, the bean keeper, who will get the people, who will be score keeper. A man and woman from each side of the house are picked to bundle the items that people bring to the Ceremony. These same two people will also gather the items people bring in. A man is always picked to yell three times before the Peach Stone Game begins, this is called Teliatsakaienlite. The person who is to open will stand and recite the Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen. At Sha’tekohsehkwen the people play clan against clan. Men and women are picked to sit at a table placed in the middle of the long house. Someone is responsible to bring the Peach Bowl, the pits and the white beans. Usually twenty-five KAHEN:TAS and one hundred beans are used to keep count.

In the past, it use to be the side that wins at Kaientowa:nen will conduct all the ceremonies for the whole year. Today each side has a turn every year. This year it will be the Bears’ side to start all the ceremonies for the year. This is a very pleasant time and before everything begins a speaker will say it is not the intention to hurt anyone’s feelings but to enjoy yourself.

When this ceremony is over as usual men are picked to pass out the soup, bread and drink. In the past if the Peach Stone Game wasn’t done at a certain time the bowl would be turned over and the people would eat, close the ceremony then go home. The following day the ceremony would continue as before. Depending on the time depends on how many dances will be heard. At times it is only one “Ostawa:kowa.”

This time of year is always happy times. Socials are put on in the evenings weather permitting. Sometimes people are sad when the ceremonies come to an end but can take comfort in the fact that we are still able to conduct our ceremonies.