206 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



the Gods of War that the enemy may be destroyed. The members of 

 the Bow priesthood gather in their ceremonial chamber, each bringing 

 his warrior wand, which in some instances is completed after the 

 arrival. As each warrior arrives those present greet him, asking him 

 to be seated. Those who have their wands ready place them at once in 

 an Apache basket, the feather ends radiating. The others are depos- 

 ited there as they are completed. The foundation of the wand is a slat 

 about 2 inches square at the base and about 8 inches in length, zig- 

 zagged to symbolize lightning, and colored blue-green. This piece of 

 wood never receives a second coat of paint, consequently the color soon 

 vanishes. A daub of medicine, resembling pinon gum, is placed on the 

 side of the slat at the time of its completion. Two eagle plumes are 

 attached to the slat, the quill ends joining, the tips spreading in V- shape. 

 White flufiy eagle plumes and other feathers" are added until there is 

 no evidence of the lightning stick. The base of the stick is covered 

 with a bit of red or black cloth, which is heavily wrapped with cotton 

 cord. The wand of the elder brother Bow priest has red cloth at its 

 base, and two feathers, one from the wing of the kiap'kona (swallow), 

 the other from the o'no*hlikia(bird of the north, Icteria longicauda), 

 are attached with a cotton cord to one of the long eagle plumes of the 

 wand. When the elder brother Bow priest completes the wrapping 

 of his wand, he tucks the end of the cord into the wrapping with a 

 knife. That of the younger brother Bow priest is covered at the base 

 with black, and the cord wrapping is formed into two lines about one- 

 half inch wide, each tied in a single bowknot. Another wand has four 

 oval pieces of abalone shell, pierced at one end, attached to the base; 

 another has a bit of crystal attached. These wands, which are usually 

 worn on the top of the head and extend outward from the back, 

 symbolize the heart, or seat of life. A package of commercial tobacco 

 which was handed the elder brother Bow priest is placed by him in 

 the center of the basket containing the plumes. The A'wan ^Si'ta 

 (Great Mother), mistress of the ceremonial chamber, grinds meal for 

 the use of the warriors at a mill at the east end of the room. 



At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the elder brother Bow priest, im- 

 patient at the nonarrival of some of the members of the Bow priest- 

 hood, leaves the chamber, and cries through the streets for the 

 warriors to come at once to their post of duty. When seven of the 

 members have arrived the younger brother Bow priest starts a song 

 to the accompaniment of the drum, which is held between the knees, 

 all singing in low tones. The drum, not more than 20 inches high, 

 is made of wood, with the ends covered with hide; a padded stick is 

 used. After a short time two of the warriors dance, each holding 



a All plumes when not in use are kept carefully wrapped and laid away in the medicine box, the 

 same plumes being used year after year; many of them, even with all the care observed, bearing 

 evidence of age. 



