STEVENSON] GAMES 321 



nate down the line. Each warrior places his right foot on the line and 

 lays the stick across the foot near the toes; he then sprinkles meal 

 upon the stick and pra3's for rain and for success in the race. The 

 rain priests also sprinkle meal and pray for rain. Meantime the run- 

 ners gather at the base, which is south of the puel)lo, just across the 

 river which flows by the village, 



The racers, the number of whom is not limited, wear only kilts, and 

 the long hair is drawn back and tucked into the banda or head-kerchief 

 at. the I)ack, the hair lieing In-ought over the band and tucked in from 

 the top. A member of the Bow priesthood marks oft" in the way 

 described the line on the earth upon which the runners take position, 

 facing south. The warrior who stands some feet ])eyond the line 

 carries a bow and arrows in his left hand and an arrow in his right. 

 He directs the runners the course they are to take, and, facing east, 

 pra3's and sprinkles meal eastward. The meal is thrown four times, 

 the fourth being the signal for the start. No word is spoken. The 

 course is south to the group of rain priests and Bow priests, a course 

 that must never be deviated from in these races, as this is the road of 

 the Gods of War. On reaching the body of priests awaiting them, 

 each runner passes between the two la'showawe previously described. 

 Bending and extending his hands toward the plumes, he brings his 

 hands to his mouth and draws in a breath from the plumes that he 

 may run like the sho'kiapiso, which flies but never tires. The runners 

 do not halt, but pass right on. Each Bow priest in the line calls out the 

 name of the ki'wi'sine he represents as he kicks the stick into the air. 

 The runners of each ki'wi*sine at once look to their appropriate sticks. 

 The}" are followed by the first body of rain priests and Bow priests, 

 except the elder and younger brother Bow priests. The rain priests 

 and Bow priests, however, do not attempt to keep pace with the 

 runners, who move in a circuit, and return to the la'siiowawe, which 

 are guarded by the elder and younger brother Bow priests, and pass 

 between the latter and on to the village. On their return the runners 

 kick the sticks into the river so that they may go to Ko'thluwala'wa 

 (abiding place of the Council of the Gods), and hasten to their homes. 

 The ceremony of washing the haii' of the runners occurs before the 

 race and also on the morning after the race. The younger brother 

 Bow priest makes an excavation the depth of his arm and the two 

 la'showawe are deposited therein, with prayers by the elder and 3'ounger 

 brother Bow priests to the u'wannami (rain-makers) for rains. These 

 two now proceed to the base, where the large crowd gathered to greet 

 the returning runners still remains. At. this point, before leaving, 

 the elder ])rother Bow priest cries out that the a'notiwe (clans) will 

 run in four daj'S. 



The race of the clans may occur sinuiltaneously at Zuni and one or 

 more of the farming districts, where most of the Zufiis at this season 

 23 ETii— 04 21 



