16 THE SIA. 



. The theurgists of the several cult societies, upon learning that the 

 object of the writer's second visit to Sia was similar to that of the pre- 

 vious one, graciously received her in their ceremonials, revealing the 

 secrets more precious to them than life itself. When unable to give 

 such information as she sought they would bring forth their oracle (the 

 aged theurgist) whose old wrinkled face brightened with intelligent 

 interest as he related without hesitancy that which was requested. 



The form of government of all the pueblos is much the same, they 

 being civil organizations divided into several departments, with an 

 official head for each department. 



With the Sia (and likewise with the other pueblos) the ti'iimoni, by 

 virtue of his priestly office, is ex officio chief executive and legislator; 

 the war priest (he and his vicar being the earthly i-epresentatives of the 

 twin war heroes) having immediate control and direction of the military 

 and of tribal hunts. Secret cult societies concerning the Indians' rela- 

 tions to anthropomorphic and zoomorphic beings are controlled each by 

 a particular theurgist. The war chief, the local governor, and the mag- 

 istrate as well as the ti'iimoni and theurgists have each a vicar who 

 assists in the official and religious duties. 



While the Zuui priesthood for rain consists of a plurality of priests 

 and a priestess, the priest of the north being the arch ruler, the Sia 

 have but one such priest. With the Zuui the archruler holds his office 

 through maternal inheritance; with the Sia it is a life appointment. 

 The ti'amoni of Sia is chosen alternately from three clans — corn, 

 coyote, and a species of cane. Though the first priest was selected 

 by the mother tTt'sfit, who directed that the office should always be 

 tilled by a member of the corn clan, he in time caused dissatisfaction 

 by his action towards infants (see cosmogony), and upon his death the 

 people concluded to choose a ti'amoni from the coyote clan, but he proved 

 not to have a good heart, for the cloud people refused to send rain and 

 the earth became dry. The third one was appointed from the cane clan, 

 but he, too, causing criticism, the Sia determined they would be obedient 

 to the command of their mother Ot'sPt, and returned to the corn clan in 

 selecting their fourth ti'amoni, but his reign brought disappointment. 

 The next ruler was chosen from the coyote clan, and proved more satis- 

 factory ; but the people, deciding it was best not to confine the selection 

 of their ti'amoni to the one clan, appointed the sixth from the cane 

 clan, and since that time this office has been filled alternately from 

 the corn, coyote, and cane clans until the latter became extinct. The 

 present ti'iimoni's clan is the coyote, and that of his vicar, the corn. 

 Their future appointments will necessarily come from these two clans, 

 as practically they arc reduced to these. 



The ti'amoni and vicar are appointed by the two war priests, the 

 vicar succeeding to the office of ti'amoni. 



The present ti'amoni entered his office without having filled the subor- 

 dinate place, his predecessor, a very aged man, and the vicar, like- 



