ig8 Field Coi.l.mhian Muskum — Anthropoi,()(;v, \'()i,. III. 



and began sprinkling yellow sand on the floor near the center of and 

 toward the east end of the kiva, to a depth of about two inches. 

 The work progressing slowly he called upon the boys to assist, 

 whereupon they entirely disrobed and began sifting sand. Sikangpu 

 then left the kiva for a few minutes and returned with another sifter. 

 He was closely followed by Qomahoiniwa and Naphoiniwa. After 

 the sand had been sifted to a depth of about six inches over an area 

 of about three feet square, Sikanakpu, getting down upon his 

 knees, began carefully increasing the size of the field until it meas- 

 ured approximately four and a half feet in width from north to south 

 by about five feet in length (/. e. from east to west, or along the short 

 diameter of the kiva). The depth of the sand was now about one 

 inch and the back edge of the field just reached the wooden plank 

 weaving-frame set in the floor of the kiva. The sand was of a uni- 

 form reddish yellow color. Apparently, however, the field was not 

 sufficiently deep; for additional sand was sprinkled over the field by 

 one of the boys. Sikangpu then sat down near the fireplace and 

 smoked for a few minutes. It is improbable that there was no cere- 

 monial intent in this act. He then left the kiva together with the boy 

 who had recently been helping him, both, as well as all the other 

 members in the kiva, of course being naked except for a loin cloth. 

 It *is not known whether either of these two individuals bore with him 

 from the kiva any offering; but as they were about to leave they were 

 addressed by Polihungwa, and, among other words, was recognized 

 ^' Kohkangwu/itr'' (Spider Woman). Within a short time the boy 

 returned bringing a number of corn husks, and Sikangpu two long 

 eagle feathers. With these two feathers Sikanakpu and Namurztiwa 

 trimmed up and squared the edges of the sand field and gradually 

 worked it back toward the rear of the kiva, as they had decided that 

 the forward edge of the field was so close to the fireplace that it did 

 not leave sufficient space for the many trays of bahos which were to 

 find their place here or for the priests who were to sit by the altar 

 during the coming night ceremonies. After finally trimming up the 

 field and sweeping up the loose sand which now measured one inch 

 in depth, Sikangpu left the kiva and returned with two addi- 

 tional eagle feathers. It is possible that this journey outside of the 

 kiva had another object; for shortly after Shakhungwa entered the 

 kiva, it being now twelve o'clock. He immediately disrobed, loos- 

 ened his hair and filling a pipe of native tobacco, sat down to the east 

 of the fireplace and indulged in silent smoking for several minutes. 

 Two of the boys were now sent out of the kiva, one of them returning 

 with a live coal on a large potsherd which he deposited in a corner of 



