84 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BuU. 188 



survivals in modern Navalio material culture. With the single ex- 

 ception of commercial tow cards, which are universal, all implements 

 used in the weaving process are just about indistinguishable from 

 prehistoric forms. They include wooden battens, heddle and shed 

 rods, and combs. Wooden awls are used in the manufacture of baskets 

 and moccasins as well as in weaving. 



DAILY LIFE 



Shonto's Navahos of all ages continue to pass most of their lives 

 within the limited realm of their own household and residence group. 

 Active men alternate periods of 2 to 3 months' employment on the 

 railroad with much longer stretches during which they seldom leave 

 home. Simple subsistence activities involving the provision and 

 preparation of food, water and wood, as well as sheepherding and 

 farming, occupy most of the waking hours every day of a majority 

 of families. Such activities usually involve nearly every day some 

 interaction with other households in the same residence group, but 

 interaction beyond the residence group is much less frequent. Women 

 find occasional relaxation during the day in weaving and sewing ; men 

 in visiting and gossiping. 



Trading at the store provides the most frequent occasion for travel 

 and visiting beyond the residence group. Frequency of visits to the 

 store varies enormously, depending principally on how far away the 

 family lives and what their transportation resources are. Most 

 households manage a visit of the entire family to the trading post 

 and school about once a week. Such visits usually involve a great 

 deal of gossip and exchange of news around the store, visits to chil- 

 dren at the school (seldom neglected), and opportunities for drinking 

 sessions (see above) for the younger men. 



Public meetings and major ceremonials are the great events of the 

 year and are usually attended by members from every residence 

 group, and from nearly every household. They might be called the 

 high points in the social calendar. 



THE LIFE CYCLE 

 BIRTH 



Obstetrical reliance upon the Tuba City Hospital is all but universal. 

 All 11 children born into Shonto families in 1955 were delivered at the 

 hospital. However, only two mothers had had prenatal examinations 

 or had contacted the hospital at any time during pregnancy ; prenatal 

 care instead follows closely traditional Navaho practice (see Bailey, 

 1950). 



Postnatal confinement at the hospital averages 4 or 5 days. At the 

 time the patient is discharged the Tuba City medical authorities try 

 to insist on at least one later examination, but with indifferent sue- 



