226 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



must belong to the Kia'kwemosi. The Shi'wanni of the Nadir proceeds 

 to flay the animal. The younger brother Bow priest holds the right 

 hind leg, the Shi'wanni of the South holds the left foreleg, the wife 

 of the Kia'kwemosi the left hind leg. The knife is run down the 

 throat, then out the right foreleg, then down the paunch, and out the 

 right hind leg, out the left foreleg, then out the left hind leg. 



When the dancers retire from the plaza they are burlesqued by the 

 Ko'yemshi, the jester having the same privilege in this rude life that 

 was accorded to him in the courts of Europe. 



Daring the afternoon, the time when the house tops and the plaza 

 are crowded with spectators, two Ko'yemshi, one carrying a doll and 

 the other a basket containing a doll and ears of boiled corn tied together 

 with yucca ribbons, approach a little girl, whose mother places her 

 arms around the child as they come near. The two hold a conversation 

 with the child, asking her njany questions. She seems quite interested 

 and eager to receive the gifts. One Ko'3'emshi presents to her the doll 

 he carries, and the other hands the basket containing the doll and corn 

 to the mother; the mother and child then leave the plaza. 



Great excitement and amusement are caused by the Ko'yemshi throw- 

 ing blankets over a dog. First one and then another throws a ))lanket 

 until the howling of the dog is completely drowned and he can not move. 

 The excitement reaches the highest point when this bundle is lifted by 

 one of the Ko'yemshi. The greatest enthusiasm prevails ove" the return 

 of the dancers, who are completely covered with gifts for the populace, 

 including bread of fanciful shapes, strung together with j^ucca ribbons 

 and calico tied into balls with long ends like kite-tails. The people of 

 all ages are eager to catch the articles that are fl3'ing through the air. 

 It is astonishing how dextrous the Zufiis are in throwing these objects. 

 It is well-nigh dusk when this last gift is thrown. One of the dancers, 

 requesting a Ko'j^emshi to help him to remove the white shirt he wears, 

 waves it, when ofi', until the male spectators are fairl}^ wild when he 

 tosses it into the air. No controversy" or ill feeling is displaj^ed between 

 the Zufiis at these times. 



The dancers and Ko'3"emshi now leave the plaza and, passing out over 

 the western road for a mile or so, they disrobe. A number of mem- 

 bers of the Chu'pawa ki'wi'sine follow on the south side of the river, 

 apparently unconscious of the maskers; they carry ordinary" apparel 

 secreted under their l)lankets, and return with the masks and other 

 paraphernalia covered from view. With this act the festival, which has 

 been all-absorbing for days, closes, to be repeated in four years. The 

 gifts to the A'shiwanni are carried at night to their homes. Small por- 

 tions of the game, after it is cooked, are deposited by each shi'wanni 

 in the river as offerings to the deceased Kia'nakwe, who are angry 

 gods, and must be appeased with ceremonies and gifts. 



