256 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



A feast is served after the long- pra3'er, and a smoke with commercial 

 tobacco is enjoyed. The Ko'3'enishi, on finishino- their smoke, begin 

 dancinsf. Each one holds two te'likinawe, as long- as from the inner 

 side of the bend of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, wrapped 

 together at the end, one stick being colored blue for the Sun Father, 

 the other yellow for the Moon Mother. After dancing some time in 

 a promiscuous group to the song of the Little Fire fraternity, all but 

 the Great Father, his pe'kwin, and Pi"'lashiwanni visit the houses of 

 the Sha'ljiko and dance. During their absence the members of the 

 fraternity, who have their nude bodies elaboratel}- decorated in white 

 with kaolin, continue dancing. The dancing begins in earnest after 

 midnight, each man seeming to throw his whole soul into it. 



Morning Ceremonies of the Sha'lako in 1891. 



Morning brings an additional influx of visitors. Ever}^ house of any 

 pretensions has guests, welcome or otherwise; nearl}' every pueblo is 

 represented, and large numbers of Navahos are here to enjoy the lavish 

 hospitality of the Zunis. The house tops on the south side of the 

 village are crowded with men, women, and children, while the streets 

 are filled with pedestrians and equestrians, many being Navahos of 

 both sexes. 



It would be difficult to find a more revolting picture than the one 

 presented during the day and night. The scene of debauchery in the 

 morning is shocking, but as the day wanes it becomes disgusting in the 

 extreme. The mad desire for drink among many of the Zufiis is too 

 great for them to remain sober enough to observe the ceremonial of 

 their gods, to which they have looked forward for many days. Many 

 of these staggering Indians are not over 11 or 15 years of age. Num- 

 bers of Navahos are fighting with one another or with the Pueblos, 

 drawing knives and pistols. The wonder is that some of the disturb- 

 ers of the peace are not trampled to death, for many fall from their 

 saddles during their quarrels; others lie motionless in the streets, too 

 drunk to move away from approaching hoofs. Native police are kept 

 busy in their efforts to quell disturbances and to clear the streets for 

 the processions. 



Before midday the first Sha'lako with his retinue comes forth from 

 the house where he spent the night. The participants in this proces- 

 sion are, first, the members of the order of Pa'yatiimu (god of music), 

 ten in num})er; next those of the Little Fire fraternity. Each man 

 plays upon his sho'konna (flute) which is as long as the muzzle of a 

 gun. The noise from these instruments is deafening. This group is 

 followed b}^ an officer of the fraternity carrying his mi'li," and meal 

 basket, from which he sprinkles meal. He leaves his position now and 

 then to sprinkle meal on the Sha'lako of his party. The alternate of 



a See p. 416. 



