[115] This is only time I have seen the Death god personified. The
Paiakaíamû rushed up to me and demanded a knife, and when I refused to
give it, not aware of their intention, they sought other ways to kill
the poor brute. It was an exhibition of extreme savagery, but of course
with no danger to any of the spectators. Later in their antics the
gluttons themselves were lightly struck with a cactus branch, and the
person who performed this painful act went from housetop to housetop
touching the arm or neck of every spectator—man, woman, and child.
During this dance these Tcukuwympkiyas performed the disgusting act
of drinking human urine. Mr Cushing, in the Century Magazine, records
the slaughter of a dog in a similar manner, except that he says that
his life was threatened before the dog was killed, and it was by his
defiant attitude that he was not seized by the performers.
[116] The direction of the ceremonial circuit of the Tewa is sinistral.
In this instance it began at the east. I believe this is the prescribed
circuit of all the Pueblos. Some of the Tewa have told me that in their
folktales their people did not emerge from the same sípapû as the Hopi,
but from a sípapû to the east. Although some of the priests say that
all people came from the middle of the earth, from one sípapû, others
believe that each pueblo has its own ancestral geographical opening.
The idea has been localized by environment, as is so often the case
with modified legends.
[117] There are certainly more evidences of white man’s influences in
dance paraphernalia in Zuñi than at Tusayan, such, for instance, as the
use of hats and calico shirts in dances, American chairs, rifles, etc,
etc.
[118] Notwithstanding this statement, I have already pointed out
similarities between both these women’s celebrations and certain Zuñi
dances (see American Anthropologist, vol. V, p. 236, note).
[119] Hówina (Zuñi, Ówinahe), a kind of thanksgiving dance, is
distinctly a Zuñi dance and is so recognized by the Hopi. I have
seen photographs of the celebration at Zuñi which bear such a close
resemblance to that called by the Hopi the Hówina that in all
probability the two are identical. The elaborate war dances celebrated
at Zuñi and the observances of the Priesthood of the Bow at that pueblo
are very much abbreviated in Tusayan (East mesa) where the organization
has not the same power as with the Cibolans.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account