l()(i THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



the Zenith, who i-s appointed by the tirst bod}' of A'shiwunni from the 

 Pi'chikwe (Dogwood clan), and may belong to either division of the 

 ckn (see page 40). the directors of the *Hle'wekwe and Shu'maakwe 

 fraternities. The et'tone of the Shu'maakwe is distinctly different 

 from the others. The songs over this et'tone are in the Pima tongue/' 

 The associate priests are in the line of promotion, but should the 

 tirst body of A'shiwanni consider one unworthy of advancement,* it 

 convenes, and a discussion occurs in regard to the proper party for 

 the place. This meeting, however, appears to be a mere formality, it 

 being the prerogative of the shi'wanui in whose division an appoint- 

 ment is to be made to select the man. Nevertheless, he addresses the 

 priesthood, saying, referring to himself and his associates: '"We do 

 not know who is best. We leave the selection to you." At the same 

 time he has already made known his choice. The Kia'kwemosi, who 

 is the head of the priesthood, formally requests the elder brother Bow 

 priest to notif}' the person of his appointment. The elder brother Bow 

 priest enjoys great power in Zufii, and nowhere is this superior per- 

 sonage (earthly representative of the elder God of War) more revered 

 than in the tirst body of A'shiwanni. Though the female associate of 

 the Kia'kwemosi, whose position is quite different and far superior in 

 character to that of the other female associates, she being Shi'wano"kia 

 (Priestess of fecundity), is present at these meetings, .she holds her 

 peace when one is to be appointed, but is free to express herself 

 when there is any suggestion of impeachment. Any shi'wanni or 

 associate may be impeached for proper cause. 



Some years since, the Shi'wano'/kia denounced the pe'kwin, Shi^wanni of the 

 Zenith, declaring the droughts and failure of crops to be due to his impure heart. 

 She even expressed her suspicion of his being a sorcerer. Some one must be held 

 responsible for the absence of rains, and the poor pe'kwin, a most excellent man, 

 was the victim. He was impeached and removed and, after much discussion, a 

 young man of the Raven division of the Dogwood clan was selected to fill the place. 

 The K^ta^kwemosi dispatched the elder and younger brother Bow priests to make 

 the announcement to the chosen party. The mother, who was present, wept 

 bitterly and begged her son not to accept the position, saying to the elder brother 

 Bow priest: "He is so young, and he might make some mistake, and then perhaps 

 he would be condemned as a sorcerer." The mother's grief touched the heart of 

 the son, and he declined the honor which he most earnestly desired to attain. 

 Another meeting of the A'shiwanni was held, when a man of the Macaw division of 

 the Dogwood clan was chosen, and in due time he was installed in his high office. 



The A'shiwanni are becoming much concerned regarding the suc- 

 cessors of the Kia'kwemosi and pe'kwin. They say it is hard to find 

 good men who are eligible, either of the Dogwood clan or children of 



n See Shu'maakwe fraternity. 



'' The vital requisite is that one shall be pure of heart, otherwise his prayers for rain would avail 

 nothing, and in this arid land, where the greatest boon to man comes from the clouds, it means 

 much to these people to have an infallible rain priesthood. 



