White] THE PUEBLO OF SIA, NEW MEXICO 135 
POLE CARRIERS 
“Pole carriers’? is what informants call the men who carry the 
decorated pole, or standard, called Actitco’m: at Sia (see ‘‘Parapher- 
nalia and Ritual’’) in the dance held in honor of the patron saint on 
August 15. My data are not consistent on this subject: in 1941 a 
good informant told me that they were selected by the head of the 
singers, and once chosen, held their post permanently; he named five 
men who served in this capacity. In 1957, an informant said that 
“they used to have the same carriers every year’’; I understood him 
to say that in 1957 the carriers were chosen for the occasion by the 
head Koshairi (who was in charge of the saint’s day dance in that 
year). He named the carriers for 1957, none of whom was on the 
1941 list. 
SELECTION AND INSTALLATION 
In the late fall of each year the cacique begins to consider the 
appointment of officers for the ensuing year. 
Accounts of the selection of officers and the announcement of 
appointments contain some variations. Stevenson (1894, p. 16) 
states that Tiamunyi and the war priest and their respective vicars 
“discuss the appointments to be made.” My earlier informants 
said that tiamunyi consults with his teraikatsi and, possibly, with 
the heads of some of the societies, but that final decision rested with 
the tiamunyi. My later informants said that Tiamunyi consults first 
with his teraikatsi. Then, later, at a meeting called by Tiamunyi, 
the matter is discussed with the heads of the more important societies 
(e.g., Flint, Giant, Fire, and possibly Koshairi and Kapina), or 
possibly all of them, and the War captains. Finally, on the evening 
of December 28, Tiamunyi and his tcraikatsi meet with the War 
chiefs, the heads of societies, and the male heads of the clans; final 
selections are made at this time. If this is correct, the question 
arises as to the influence exercised by the heads of societies, the War 
captains, and even the heads of the clans. Stevenson (1894, p. 18) 
said that the cacique sought the approval of the medicinemen, but 
that ‘‘this is always given, the consultation with the theurgists being 
but a matter of courtesy.’”? And this may be the case today. On 
the other hand, it is possible that Tiamunyi may be influenced, if not 
guided, in his choice by the reactions of the other important leaders 
in the pueblo; this may be particularly so in the present instance 
since Eliseo Aguilar is merely acting cacique (1957). 
My earlier informants stated that announcement of appointments 
was made on December 29, and formal installation—1.e., presenta- 
tion of staffs of office—took place on January 1. My later infor- 
mation is that both announcement and installation take place on the 
