306 THE ZFNI INDIANS [eth. axn. 23 



the clans and intimates of the family. Unless the death is sudden 

 the fraternity father (see Esoteric fraternities) of the deceased has 

 been present and he notifies the fraternity, especially the fraternity 

 children of the deceased. On such occasions the writer has never 

 observed other members of a fraternity present than the fraternity 

 father or mother, except when the deceased is a prominent member 

 of the tribe. The mourners begin arriving before the body is fully pre- 

 pared for the grave, and as each woman enters she looks at the corpse 

 and at once sets up a hideous howl, taking a seat on the ledge which 

 extends around the room. The howl is continuous, except when the 

 women stop from exhaustion, until some time after the remains are 

 buried. Members of the immediate family of the dead and others 

 connected by strong ties of friendship remain quiet during the funeral 

 rites, exhibiting the keenest grief. Sometimes the devoted relatives 

 linger over the remains, loth to have the dear one carried awa3^ The 

 bodies of distinguished persons lie in state for a time, in order that those 

 privileged may view the remains, but they are always buried within a 

 couple of hours. Prayers are always offered by all present, and meal 

 is sprinkled over the body. The body is seldom accompanied to the 

 grave by mourners. The less prominent people occasionally follow 

 as far as the burial ground and then return, leaving the bearers of the 

 corpse to go alone to the grave. Interment is a disagreeal)le duty and 

 is concluded as soon as possible. Having been compelled during the 

 Spanish conquest to bmy their dead in the churchyard, this place 

 became sacred to the Zufiis, and they have continued to use it as a 

 burial place in order that they may not be separated from their own. 

 They adhere also to the old custom of placing the men on the south 

 side of the Imrial grounds and the women on the north, with their 

 heads to the east. The churchyard is so packed with bodies that when 

 a grave is dug the bones thrown out seem as abundant as the soil. 

 The immediate male members of the family, not including the husband 

 or father, dig the grave, which is not more than 5 or feet deep, 

 and bury the dead. The numerous objects of art found in graves on 

 prehistoric sites show that in the past it was customary to l)ury valued 

 possessions with the dead, but this is not done at present, although 

 occasionally one or two trilling articles are placed in the grave. 



After the burial of a husband or a wife the body of the surviving 

 spouse is bathed b}^ female relatives. There must be but little tire 

 in the fireplace at the time, however cold the weather. If the sur- 

 vivor is a man, he is nude, except a cover over the loins; a wonian 

 wears her camis. The head is washed first. Several women stand about 

 a bowl of yucca suds and each one dips a handful; when all are sup- 

 plied, each woman places the suds on the head, then one of them thor- 

 oughly washes it. Afterward the spouse is led to the under side of a 



