326 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



remove their clothing and after donning- a kilt of white cotton or 

 some other light material take medicine of the Shu'maakvve fraternit}'^ 

 in their moutiis, eject it into their hands, and rub their entire bodies, 

 that they may not be made tired by running. A piece of humming- 

 bird medicine, a root (species undetermined), is passed around; each 

 runner takes a bite, and after chewing it ejects it into his hands and 

 rubs his body that he may be swift like the humming bird. The 

 hair is brought forward, and a bow priest forms a long knob by fold- 

 ing the hair over and over and wrapping it with yarn; he then places 

 an arrow point in the knot to insure fleetness; lifting ashes with 

 two eagle-wing plumes, he passes them down the sides of each racer 

 and sprinkles ashes to the six regions for physical puritication. 



Medicine is sometimes put into the paint used on the stick, which 

 for the betting races is painted red instead of black, and a bit of this 

 paint is slipped under the nail of the index linger of the right hand. 

 If a runner is seen to keep his thumb pressed to his finger, it is 

 known that he has medicine under the nail, and those making the dis- 

 covery are apt to bet high on that side, for they believe the medicine 

 will bring success. Failure in such cases is attributed to the bad 

 heart of the runner. 



The wives of the two rain priests who were present on the previous 

 night each go to the house visited by the husband, where they remain 

 during the absence of the runners. Several parcels, including two 

 blankets, are removed from the heap in the plaza and carried to each 

 house and deposited beside the woman for good luck to the runners. 

 The runners are accompanied to the base by their managers and the 

 bow priests. Crowds gather; everj^ man who can obtain a horse is 

 mounted. All is excitement, the women's enthusiasm being almost 

 equal to that of the men, for each wife is interested in the side her 

 husl)and has chosen, and every maiden is eager for the success of her 

 favorite admirer. While the men gather about the runners prepar- 

 ing for the race, and follow them, the women must content themselves 

 in the village. 



The two sticks designating the sides of the elder and the 3'ounger 

 God of War are made by the bow priests of the side of the second 

 manager and are carried by a runner of this party to the base, where 

 he holds the sticks out to the opposite side, one of the party taking 

 the stick of his choice. The racers do not form in regular line. Each 

 leader places the stick across his foot near the toes and sprinkles it 

 with meal; they then cr}^ out "Si!" (Ready!) The stick must not be 

 touched with the hand after it is placed on the foot. It is often thrown 

 a long distance, and no matter where it may rest it must be managed 

 with the foot. 



There is nothing more exciting to the Zufiis, except the scalp dance, 

 than this game of ti'kwane. Those on horseback urge their ponies on- 



