WHITE] LIFE CYCLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL 135 



put some shelled corn in a inoclcing bird's nest and leave it there for 

 a few days. Then they take it out, grind it, and put it into the child's 

 mouth, slightly moistened. 



The baby boards are made of wood taken, preferably, from trees 

 that have been struck by lightning. During the winter solstices these 

 cradle boards are frequently taken to the medicine men (who are 

 curing in their chambers) to have them "cured" (i. e., exorcised) and 

 charged with "power." 



Childhood " 



Children are well-behaved and respectful; they are much more 

 reserved and subdued than American children of to-day. At a fairly 

 early age they assist their elders in their occupations. Nowadays 

 they begin school at an early age — about 6 or 8. They attend either 

 the Acomita or McCartys day school, or the Indian school at Albu- 

 querque or the Catholic school at Santa Fe. 



A few generations ago the children were initiated into the kachina 

 organization at about 8 years of age. Nowadays children are not 

 usually initiated until after their return from school; it is felt that 

 the children should not possess these secrets while away from the 

 pueblo — thej' might tell some one. 



After school days are over the children are quite well grown and are 

 ready to take their places as full-fledged members of the community. 



Marriage and Divorce 



Monogamy is the rule at Acoma. The Catholic faith being pro- 

 fessed, divorce is, theoretically, unpossible. Many couples are mar- 

 ried in the old mission church at old Acoma by the priest (Franciscan). 

 These marriages usually take place on September 2, at the feast of St. 

 Stephen, Acoma's patron saint. But frequently a man and woman 

 live together as man and wife without any formal ceremony. Al- 

 though divorce is not recognized, there are several cases of "separa- 

 tion," after which one or both parties may live with some one else. 

 Very few adults sleep alone. I have heard rumors of a certain man 

 who is said to have murdered one or two wives to get rid of them, but 

 these stories are not weU founded and are certainly very rare. Do- 

 mestic violence is extremely rare. 



There are many illegitimate children. Many gu-ls become mothers 

 before they marry (or live with a man); sometimes they have two 

 children before marriage. Sometimes, indeed, they never marry but 

 rear large families. I know of one family of several cliildren whose 

 mother never married. It is said that all of the mother's children 

 are by the same man, however. He has a wife, though, with whom 



>' Additional data on birth and child rearing are to be (ound in Parsons's Notes on .\coma and Lag^na, 

 American Anthropologist, vol. 20, pp. 162-186. 



