FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 



OF THE 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



M. W. Stirling, Chief 



The operations of the Bureau of American Ethnology 

 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1929, were conducted 

 in accordance with the act of Congress approved May 16, 

 1928, making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of 

 the Government, which act contains the following item : 



American ethnology : For continuing ethnological researches among 

 the American Indians and the natives of Hawaii, the excavation and 

 preservation of archseologic remains under the direction of the 

 Smithsonian Institution, including necessary employees, the prepara- 

 tion of manuscripts, drawings, and illustrations, the purchase of 

 books and periodicals, and traveling expenses, $60,300. 



Mr. M. W. Stirling entered upon his duties as chief of 

 the bureau August 1, 1928, succeeding Dr. J. Walter 

 Fewkes, who retired January 15, 1928. 



SYSTEMATIC RESEARCHES 



During the months of September and October Mr. Stir- 

 ling worked with a group of Acoma Indians who were 

 visiting Washington and secured from them in as com- 

 plete form as possible the origin and migration myth of 

 that very conservative tribe. This myth not only de- 

 scribes the emergence of the first human beings from the 

 underworld but also explains the origin and functions 

 of the pantheon of demigods and heroes connected with 

 the legend. The myth likewise explains the origin and 

 function of the clans and the medicine societies and the 



l 



