476 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann 23 



The evening shadows are falling when the Mu'waiye complete the 

 fourth circuit around the boxes and advance toward the western 

 entrance. This movement is the signal for the spectators to hasten 

 from the plaza and stand in lines facing each other on each side of the 

 streets through which the dancers are to pass, their course being 

 through the western entrance to a second plaza, thence to the north 

 street and around to the west street, and down this street to the house 

 where the et'towe are deposited. The Mu'waiye dance ever}- step of 

 the way, as has been described, to the music of the Chu'pakwe, who 

 follow closely. It is dark by the time the Mu'wai^ye reach the house. 

 As each girl is relieved of her 'hlu'^sipone it is placed with an ancient 

 'hla'we, and l)oth are passed before her lips while she inhales all that 

 is good from them, they^ being then laid across the basket from which 

 the ancient 'lila'we is taken. 



An old woman removes the la'showawe of *hlai'aluko feathers from 

 the hair of each of the Mu'waiye and it is tied to the ancient Mila'we 

 with which her 'hlu"sipowe are placed. The Mu'waiye and choir take 

 in their left hands meal from the meal basket by the et'towe and, car- 

 rying the hand from left to right around the head four times, throw 

 the meal over the fetishes for phj^sical purification. Meal is afterward 

 taken in the right hand and sprinkled over the et'towe, with prayers 

 for food, raiment, and good health. The Mu'waiye now have their 

 headdresses, mi'has, and other paraphernalia removed by the two 

 a'mosi of the Mu'waiye, and they take their seats on the south ledge. 

 The choir crowd around the fetishes and pray. Each man gi\es a 

 la'showanne of the *^hlai'aluko, which he received during the rehearsals 

 of the Mu'waiye, to the old women, who attach them to the ancient 

 Hila'we; b}^ this means the ancient sticks are kept supplied with plumes. 

 The masses gather from the street and repeat the performance with 

 the meal, held first in the left hand, then in the right." The et'towe 

 are now placed on the north ledge of the room and the *hla'we and 

 *hlu'*sipowe are stood against the wall, back of the et'towe. 



On the fifth morning of the ceremonial the plastering is removed 

 from the doors and windows leading from the ceremonial chamber of 

 the *Hle'wekwe into the adjoining rooms, and stone slabs which block 

 up spaces in the north and south walls when not required to serve as 

 openings through which the elite observe the final ceremony, are also 

 removed. The room immediately back of the ceremonial chamber is 

 prepared for the reception of special guests. A smaller room be3^ond 

 is devoted to the preparation of toggery by those who are to amuse 

 the fraternity and guests previous to the night ceremonial. 



At y o'clock in the evening the two novices take seats on the north 



" Squads of drunken men and boys offering prayers and sprinkling meal over the fetishes present a 

 revolting sight. 



