Before the dance of Thunder, Thunder's herald Atxwotatinim, appears wearing a mask in human form and carrying a staff in his hand. He beats violently on the floor with his rod and cries out: "Come all ye supernatural ones to the dance of Thunder."

After Atxwotatinim has circled the fire and retired to the enclosed he can still be heard violently pounding the floor and inviting the people to Thunder's dance.