100 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



the little one, now having- but two blankets and the canvas over him, 

 is struck four times by each 8a'ya*hlia. Each child is carried in turn 

 bv these gods. After passing the gods, the godfather continues to 

 his home, where he and the godchild join in a feast, after which they 

 go to either the O'he'wa or the Chu'pawa ki'wi*sine. When the gods 

 leave the plaza they repair to the He'kiapawa, where all the other 

 gods are assembled; there they have a light repast, and then arrange 

 the corn to be delivered by the Ko'loowisi in the ki'wi'siwe. When all 

 who are privileged, including the first bod}^ of A'shiwanni, the Ko'mo- 

 sona and others, are gathered in Chu'pawa and O'he'wa ki'wi'siwe the 

 gods in He'kiapawa separate into two bodies, going to the two ki'wi*siwe 

 in the order before described. All but one of the gods enter the hatch- 

 way headforemost; facing the north, and catching the rung of the 

 ladder with one foot, then the rung below by the bended knee, they 

 descend the ladder in this manner to the fire altar; and with head on 

 the slab of the altar make a somersault into the room. 



A sacred embroidered blanket is attached to the wall at the west 

 end of the room, one is placed on the ledge immediatel}^ below, and 

 many strings of precious beads and an old red, black, and green yarn 

 belt hang on each side of the blanket on the wall. LT'poyona, who is 

 the first god to enter the ki'wi'sine, and who walks down the ladder 

 instead of going headforemost, takes his seat before the blanket. As 

 each god makes a somersault into the room he hops like a frog past 

 the mounds on the south side, and then around on the north side. 

 As 'Hle'lashoktipona (Wood-ears) passes U'poyona this god leaves his 

 seat and hops on all fours after him. As each god reaches the appro- 

 priate mound he halts on all fours to the north of it, and when all are 

 in position they simultaneously jump on their mounds, remove the 

 plume wands, and, jumping off in the same fashion, pass to the children 

 who are between the extended knees of their godfathers. Each god- 

 father sits on the ledge between his wife and daughter. 



Each god blows four times upon the plume wand he carries, each 

 time passing- it before the child's lips, giving to him the sacred breath 

 of the god. After this ceremony all the gods except Shu'laawi'si, 

 *Si'*sikia, and Great Father Ko'yerashi depart by the western road. 

 The three last named proceed to O'he'wa ki'wi*sine and there join the 

 younger brother gods in similar ceremonies. Later in the evening 

 Su'ti'ki, the bird fetish which announces the coming of Ko'loowisi, 

 is carried fi'oui the He'kiapawa ki''wi'^sine to the roof of Chu'pawa. 

 The pole is projected through the hatchway, and by an ingenious 

 , arrangement of cord the bird is made to run back and forth, while a 

 second man uses a whistle of most curious workmanship** that is 

 hidden under his blanket. The bird is supposed to chirp and warble, 



a This whistle was secured for the United States National Museum. 



