290 Field Columbian Museum — ANTHROPOLbcY, Vol. VIII. 



29. — A Journey to the Skeleton House. 



In Shongopavi, son of village chief often sits looking at graveyards and 

 wondering whether dead continue to live somewhere. Father cannot tell him, 

 and speaks about it to other chiefs, and especially to village crier. They say 

 Badger Old Man has medicine for it. They send for Badger Old Man, who 

 says he has medicine, and goes for it. Next day young man is dressed as 

 though dead. Badger Old Man spreads white owa on floor, and tells young 

 man to lie down on it, and places medicine in his mouth, in his ears, and on 

 his heart. Young man eats medicine and "dies." Then he sees path leading 

 westward to Skeleton House, which he follows, and he sees one sitting in inclos- 

 ure of sticks who will be long time in getting to Skeleton House. He pro- 

 ceeds westward through cactus and agave plants, and arrives at steep bluff. 

 Chief sitting there points out direction of house, which young man cannot see 

 for smoke. Chief places young man's kilt on ground, places him on it, and 

 throws it over precipice. Young man slowly descends on kilt as if flying with 

 wings. On arriving on ground he proceeds and comes upon Skeleton Woman. 

 She tells him that smoke is from where wicked people are thrown in and de- 

 stroyed. He goes on to Skeleton House, where Skeleton people assemble to 

 look at him. They ask who he is, and then take him to Bear Clan. There is 

 ladder up to house. He tries to ascend, but rungs are made of sunflower 

 stems and first one breaks as he steps on it. He stays down and Skeletons 

 bring him food. They laugh when he eats, as they eat only odor and steam of 

 food. That is why they are not heavy, and why clouds into which dead are 

 transformed can float in air. They ask what he has come for; they say he 

 must go back, his flesh is still too strong. He is to make nakwdkwosis for 

 them at Soydl Ceremony, and they give him directions for wrapping up 

 women when they die, that raindrops may fall when Skeleton moves through 

 sky as clouds. Young man sees Skeletons carrying mealing stones on backs, 

 and others bundles of cactus, as punishment. At another place he sees chiefs 

 who had been good in this world. Young man returns. At bluff he mounts 

 kilt and breeze lifts him up. He sees chief again, who says no one should 

 desire to come there, it is not good or light. He meets no one on return home, 

 and as he enters body he comes to life again. Badger Old Man washes and 

 discharms him. He is fed, and then tells what he has seen in much same 

 language as before. He adds that no one should desire to go to that place, 

 because people are living in light here. 



30. — Skeleton Woman and the Hunter. 



Poor youth does not go with young men to hunt when snow on ground. 

 Older men in kiva ask why he has not gone on hunt. He says he has no mocca- 

 sins. They make him pair of moccasins and some leggings, and give him old 

 blanket, also bow and arrows and some throwing sticks. They then explain 

 difference between rabbit tracks and those of other animals. He leaves village 

 and finds rabbit tracks, which he follows for long distance. Comes upon tired 

 jack-rabbit, which he kills. On returning it becomes dark and youth sees 

 light in kiva, where is pretty woman. She invites him in. He sits near fire, 

 and she gives him brain of corpses and flies, which he pretends to eat. She is 

 Skeleton Woman. He gives her rabbit. She says she is going to dance, and 

 when she is through they will sleep together. She goes to another room. 



