196 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



skin hangs pendent at the back, and a perfect ear of corn — not a 

 grain must be missing — is worn in the back of the belt, though care- 

 fully concealed from view. Spruce twigs standing erect are fastened 

 about the waist. The hair hangs down the back, with two white fluffy 

 eagle plumes fastened one below the other. The front bangs cover the 

 face, which is painted white, and there are daubs of the same paint on 

 each breast, shoulder, scapula, upper arm, and leg above the knee. 

 Dance moccasins are worn, with anklets blocked with black and white 

 porcupine quills, and hanks of native blue yarn hanging in tassels, with 

 sleigh bells attached, are worn below the knees. Four strings of olive 

 shells and black stone beads hang over the right shoulder across the 

 chest and back. These beads, which are claimed to be ver}^ old, are 

 the property of the elder brother Bow priest and are greatly treasured 

 by him. 



Each dancer, including 5'a'pota, holds a *hla'we in each hand received 

 from the mi'laiilapona. The dancers of the *Hla'hewe side are joined by 

 those of the Sho'ko'we side and pass in file, the ya'pota midway, to 

 the plaza, led by the A' wan mosono"kia of the "^^Hla'hewe side, who 

 throws meal in a line before her as she advances. A line is formed 

 facing the east, and after dancing a while they turn and form into file 

 facing south and dance again (see plate xxxix). This movement is 

 repeated throughout the dance, with an occasional change by turning 

 all the way round. 



The ya'pota uses his left foot principallv to balance himself, vio- 

 lently moving the right foot up and down. The women keep their 

 feet close together, slightly raising the heel, the motion being princi- 

 pally from the knee. All extend their arms before them and keep time 

 with the songs of the'^Hla'hewe, entreating the Sun Father to embrace 

 the Earth Mother that she may give to them the fruits of her being. 

 Shortly after the dance begins, five women," wearing their black 

 dresses and blanket wraps, come from the ceremonial house of the 

 Kia'kwemosi and pass through the ham'pone on the *Hla'hewe side 

 to the plaza. Each woman passes her mi'li ])efore the mouth of each 

 dancer, who draws a Vjreath from it, and they return to the house b}^ 

 the *Hla'hewe side. The dance continues fifteen minutes, when the 

 dancers return to the hiim'pone, those of the Sho'ko'we side, who enter 

 first, passing around to the north side. 



The *hla'we are received I)}- the mi'laiilapo'na. The A'wan moso- 

 no"kia lingers in the plaza a moment or two after the others leave, 

 dancing slowl}' back to the ham'pone as she faces east. On taking her 

 seat she deposits her Mila'we in the basket beside her. 



The dancers now receive the 4ile'we, and those on the *Hla'hewe 



o These women, who approach the different dancers with their mi'wachi, are the Shi'wano''kia and 

 the wives of the first body of A'shiwanni. 



