608 THE ZUNI INDIANS [eth. ann. 23 



under her own eye, the author has not attempted in the foregoing- 

 pages to give any explanation of the origin of the religious organiza- 

 tions other than that entertained by the Zuni mind. These children 

 of the human family are highly imaginative. The soul of the Zuni 

 expands with adoration toward the supreme m^'sterious power that 

 controls all things, without form yet embracing form, the breath of 

 life— even life itself; and toward the gods, whose forms are visible in 

 the heavens above, in the earth beneath, and in the waters under the 

 earth, who are only less raight}'^ than the supreme power, and who 

 bless the good and punish the wicked. 



While it remains to be learned definitely by what people or peoples 

 the elaborate rituals of the Zuni were instituted it is assumed that 

 they originated with the Zuni themselves. What part clanship played 

 in the dawn of the ritualistic life of the Zuni is also yet to be deter- 

 mined. It is certain that for a long time past membership at large in 

 the fundamental religious bodies of the Zuni has not been dependent 

 on ties of clanship, though in certain cases succession to office in 

 fraternities does depend on clanship. 



Before any exposition of the origin of the fundamental religious 

 organizations and of the rituals can be ofiered, a comparative stud}' of 

 the Pueblos must be made. For this work the passing hours are 

 golden, for not only are the villages losing their old-time landmarks, 

 but the people themselves are changing, are adapting themselves to 

 suddenly and profoundly altered environment; and the Zuni at least, 

 whose religion teaches them to speak with one tongue, to be gentle to 

 all, and to subdue the passions, thereb}' winning the favor of their 

 gods, are, under the influences of modern conditions, losing the re- 

 straining power of this religion, and, as a result, are changing for the 

 worse. 



