History of Human SocietyBlackmar, Frank W. (Frank Wilson)
History
History of Human Society
Blackmar, Frank W. (Frank Wilson)
Civilization; Progress; Sociology
The Pueblos were, as a rule, people of low stature, but of an
intelligent and pleasing appearance. They dressed in cotton goods or
garments woven from the fibre of the yucca plant, or from coarse bark,
and later, under Spanish rule, from specially prepared wool. Their
feet were protected by sandals made from the yucca, or moccasins from
deer or rabbit skins. Leggings coming above the knee were formed by
wrapping long strips of buckskin around the leg. The women and men
dressed very much alike. The women banged their hair to the eyebrows,
allowing it to hang loosely behind, although in some instances maidens
dressed their hair with two large whirls above the ears. The Zuni
Indians practised this custom after the coming of the Spaniards.
The Pueblos were well organized into clans, and descent in the female
line was recognized. The clans were divided usually into the north,
south, east, and west clans by way of designation, showing that the
communal idea had been established with recognition of government by
locality. Here, as elsewhere among the American aborigines, the clans
were named after the animals chosen as their totem, but there were in
addition {196} to these ordinary clans, the Sun clan, the Live Oak, the
Turquoise, or others named from objects of nature. Each group of clans
was governed by a priest chief, who had authority in all religious
matters and, consequently, through religious influences, had large
control in affairs pertaining to household government, and to social
and political life in general. The duties and powers of these chiefs
were carefully defined. The communal houses in which the people lived
were divided into apartments for different clans and families. In some
instances there was a common dining-hall for the members of the tribe.
The men usually resided outside of the communal house, but came to the
common dining-hall for their meals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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