STEVENSON] 



537 



with .six eaole-wing- plumes attaclied, is tied to each arm near the 

 shoulder and allowed to hang free. A silver-mounted bow guard is 

 worn on the left wrist and a fox skin hangs from the right. A black 

 staff, slightly longer than an ordinary walking cane, ornamented at the 

 top and midway with small eagle plumes, is carried in the right hand, 

 a mi'li and a prayer plume being carried in the left. A diminutive 

 blue crook, symbolic of longevity, the color symbolizing A'wonawil'- 

 ona, the supreme life-giving power, and the Sun Father, is attached 

 to the prayer plume. 



The Sai'apa masks cover the head. The face of one is colored blue, 

 the other yellow, symbolic of the sun and of the moon. The backs 

 of both are white decorated with a tadpole in the center. Each has a 

 narrow strip of light-colored fur running up the center of the face. 

 Five cylinders about 5 inches in length, circled in yellow, blue, and 

 black, run back from the forehead on the top of the mask. Feathers 

 are so placed in the front of the tubes as to project forward in line with 

 them. From each side of the mask fall long, slender, padded horns, 

 each one of which, where attached, is so turned as to form a ring. 

 Two fox skins encircle the base of each mask. The heads of the 

 animals are crossed in front, the tails hanging at the back. The body 

 of each Sai'apa is painted white. The person of one is covered with 

 a bunch of yucca held on by a yucca ribbon passed around the waist. 

 The other wears a war pouch in the same way. Anklets of spruce twigs 

 complete their dress. They carry a l)urning cedar brand in the right 

 hand and a bunch of giant yucca in the left. The Sai'apa speak and 

 act the reverse of what they mean. They ask for food when they are 

 not hungry; when they wish to smoke they declare they have no 

 desii'e for tobacco. 



Upon reaching the village, the Shumai'koli, the two Sai'apa, and 

 others go at once to the ceremonial house, the Sai'apa moving their 

 burning- torches as they proceed. On reaching the house they dance 

 about for a time in the street and then, since a tall cedar tree bars 

 the lower doorway, ascend the outer ladder to the roof. The choir 

 descends into the chamber, Init the Shumai'koli and the Sai'apa remain 

 for some minutes on the roof, the former ruiming about in a peculiar 

 manner, while the latter lirandish the burning brands. It is dusk 

 before the three gnxls descend into the chamber. Previous to the 

 descent the Sai'apa extinguish their brands by striking them against 

 the hatchwa\\ 



Fourth night. The night ceremonial begins at 10 o'clock. Two 

 blankets have been hung netir the northeast end of the room so as to 

 form a dressing room. About 1> o'clock the personal decoration of the 

 members of the fraternity beg-ins. Some of the men have their bodies 

 and limbs colored in solid white, with streaks of white down the feet 

 and hands; others have serpentine lines of white over their bodies 

 and limbs, while others are spotted in white to represent the heavens. 



