white] government 55 



ceremonies are held the governor posts sentinels all around old Aconia 

 to prevent whites or Mexicans from approaching. 



The governor is also custodian of the pueblo treasuiy. He collects 

 $1 from every tourist who visits old Acoma, and he may make assess- 

 ments among the families (if this is approved, of course, by the 

 principales). This money is to be used for pueblo purposes. Occa- 

 sionally it becomes necessary for the governor to take a tri]) on pueblo 

 business. His expenses are then defrayed from the treasury. But 

 this is as far as compensation goes; the governor I'eceives not one cent 

 for his year's services. 



The governor is appointed yearly at the Christmas "elections" by 

 the cacique. He wears a badge bearing the words "Governor of 

 Acoma," and he has a cane which was given to the pueblo by President 

 Lincoln and bears the inscription "A. Lincoln, Prst. U. S. A. Acoma, 

 1863." He carries this cane on September 2 at the fiesta of San 

 Estevan. Some colored ribbons are usually tied near the top. 



The Lieutenant Goveenors 



These officers merely assist the governor, advising with him and 

 executing his orders. 



The Bickales (Spanish, Fiscales) 



Fonnerly these men were attached to the church during the days of 

 Spanish administration. It was their duty to collect money and food 

 for the church as well as to keep it in order and repair. Lender the 

 LTnited States regime these officials used to keep the rooms of the old 

 convento ready for the priest and supply his wants when he visited 

 the pueblo. But these old duties have all but disappeared. The old 

 mission church at old Acoma is visited but once a year by the priest. 

 The Bickales now seem to function abnost solely as councilors for the 

 governor. They serve as sentinels during masked dances. 



The Mayordomo or Ditch Boss 



An ii-rigation ditch runs through the Acomita Valley. The water 

 boss supervises this system, seeing that the ditches are kept in repair, 

 and also apportioning the water among the different users at s])ecified 

 times. If a man wishes to irrigate his garden or field he must first 

 make sure that he has the permission of the water boss. The water 

 supply is limited, and one must not take more than his share, nor may 

 everyone use the ditch at the same time. Sometimes a man has to 

 get up in the middle of the night to irrigate his fields. 



The Government Farmer and His Indian Policeman 



The recent liistory of Acoma (as well as other pueblos) presents an 

 interesting study of acculturation, and from the standpoint of the 

 pueblo cxdtural disintegration. A great deal of cultural innovation 



