HUNTING 
Individual men may kill small game while out in the country herd- 
ing horses or sheep, or while going to gather materials for paints, or 
-soapweed. But hunting, as such, is a communal enterprise at Sia. 
Two kinds of hunts are distinguished: one for small game—cottontail 
and jackrabbits, wood rats—and the other for deer. Small game is 
hunted either for the cacique—to supply him with meat for ceremonial 
purposes—or for the people; deer hunts are always for the cacique. 
Women may accompany men on small game hunts; only men go on 
deer hunts. 
COMMUNAL RABBIT HUNTS 
The War chief goes to Tiamunyi and formally asks him for permis- 
sion ‘‘to use the people and the land” for asmall game hunt. Tiamunyi 
always gives his permission. War chief then goes to the head of the 
Caiyeik (Hunters’) society to assist with songs and ritual. At an 
appointed time Caiyeik nawai, accompanied by Masewi, Oyoyewi, and 
their gowatcanyi (assistants), goes to a sacred spot (tsapatcroma) near 
the pueblo, where he builds a fire and prays for game. 
Early next morning the War chiefs and their assistants meet in the 
Wren kiva where they lay plans for the hunt: they decide where they 
will hunt and whether women will participate or not. When this 
meeting is over, the War chief, or one of his assistants, goes through 
the village announcing the hunt. 
On the day of the hunt the head of the Caiyeik society goes to the 
meeting place first. He builds a small fire, “just big enough to light 
cigarettes with.”” The War chief designates one of his assistants to 
accompany Caiyeik nawai constantly. After a brief ritual (prayers?) 
by Caiyeik, the people come out to the meeting place and are given 
instructions regarding the hunt (by Masewi or Caiyeik or both?). 
If women take part, a place to eat lunch is designated, otherwise 
this point is omitted. 
When game is killed the women run for it; the first to reach it keeps 
it. She must, however, pay the man who killed it: flour for a jackrab- 
bit or cottontail; bread and stew for a wood-rat or bird. The hunt 
lasts until sundown. No one is permitted to leave the hunt before it 
ends, and no one is allowed to lag behind. 
If the hunt is for the hotcanitsa (i.e., cacique), the people roast the 
game in the evening after the hunt. The next morning before break- 
fast the tcraikatsi (vice caciques) go around the village and collect 
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