376 



THE ZUNI INDIANS 



[ETH. ANN. 23 



pottery that produces the black coloring, no black pigment of any kind 

 being used. While there is no attempt at surface decoration, many 

 pretty and curious shapes are modeled by the clever potters. There 

 are water jars and bowls with fluted edges, imitations of birds and 

 beasts, and many queer figures. 



When the Zufii potter has completed the decoration, the articles are 

 ready for baking. A suitable spot out of doors is selected, and if 

 possible a day is chosen w^hen there is no wind to interfere with the 



Fig. 2-1— Old Zufii vase. 



process, unless it be the regular time for l)aking pottery during the 

 summer solstice ceremonies. The pieces to be fired are placed upon 

 stones to raise them a few inches from the ground, and an oven of 

 dried manure from the sheep and goat pens is built around and over 

 them. The fire is carefully managed in order to produce a gradual 

 heating, after which the entire mass is subjected to an intense heat 

 until the baking is completed, the process usuall}^ requiring one or two 

 hours. A bit of wafer bread is deposited in each vase, so that the 

 spirit of the vase may be fed with the spiritual essence of the bread. 



