INTRODUCTION TO ZUNI CEREMONIALISM 



By Ruth L. Bunzel 



CONDITIONS OF LIFE 



The Zuni tribe numbered in 1928 approximately 1,900 individuals, 

 settled in the desert of western New Mexico on land which the nation 

 had alreadj^ inhabited for many centuries prior to the advent of the 

 Spaniards in 1540. The reservation which they now hold under 

 Government protection is a strip of land roughly following the course 

 of the Zuiii River from its headwaters near the Continental Divide 

 southwest to a point some miles east of the Arizona border. The 

 general conformation of the land is a high, broad valley dropping 

 sharply from northeast to southwest. The upper end of the valley 

 is hemmed in by rugged mountains of red and white sandstone, cut 

 by deep canyons densely forested. Toward the west the country 

 lies open. The average altitude of the valley is about 6,000 feet. 



The Zuiii River which drains this country is a permanent stream, 

 which, however, varies greatly in volume of water. For the greater 

 part of the year it is a tliin trickle threading its devious way through 

 broad, glistenmg mud flats. Diuring the summer season this trickle 

 may be transformed witliin a few moments into a raging torrent that 

 inundates the mud flats and frequently ovei'flows the containing 

 banks. These sudden floods, caused by cloiid-bursts in the eastern 

 mountains, generaUy subside within a few hours, although the 

 stream frequently runs liigh for two or three days during the spring 

 freshets, when the river is said to be impassable for days at a time. 

 The valley is traversed also bj^ numerous arroyos fiUed with rushing 

 water in times of flood, but otherwise quite dry. In all the surround- 

 ing mountains are numerous permanent spiings of sweet water. 



The mountains and canyons of the east, weU watered by virtue of 

 their nearness to the divide, are covered with tliick forests of conifers. 

 The arid plains of the west sustain only a meager covering of sage, 

 greasewood, yucca, and small cacti, vnih occasional poplar and Cot- 

 tonwood trees near springs and along watercourses. 



The high altitude and excessive aridity produce a healthy and in- 

 vigorating cHmate. There are great seasonal and daily fluctuations 

 in temperature. There are summers of blazing noons (110° F. is by 

 6066°— 32 31 473 



