514 INTRODUCTION TO ZUNI CEREMONIALISM [eth. ann. 47 



included in the sacred paraphernalia of the priests — pots of sacred 

 black paint, round stones, "thunder stones," obsidian knives, and 

 other objects, all of which were brought from the lower world. The 

 e'to'we themselves are each in two parts, Ea'etowe, water fetish, 

 and tcu'e'to'we, corn fetish. The rain-iuaking function is decidedly 

 the more important. 



In addition to the objects on the altar of their retreat, the chief 

 priesthood is said to maintain a permanent altar m the foiu-th imder- 

 ground room of their house. In addition to the usual objects on priestly 

 altars, this altar contams two columns of rock, one of crystal and one 

 of turquoise, a heart-shaped rock which is "the heart of the world," 

 with arteries reaching to the four cardinal points, and various prayer 

 sticks, mcluding two, male and female, which are "the life of the 

 people." All objects on the altar, including the e'towe, are said to 

 be petrified. This altar is the center of the world, the spot beneath 

 the heart of Eanastep'a when he stretched out his arms. Only the 

 high priest himself has access to this chamber.^* 



The priests, as such, hold no public ceremonies, although their 

 presence is necessary at many ceremonies of other groups. Their 

 own ceremonies for the Uwanami are held in secret in the houses 

 where their fetishes are kept. 



At the winter solstice the priesthoods observ^e a one-night retreat. 

 Following the planting of the prayer sticks to the sun is a taboo 

 period of 10 days, during which many rites are celebrated. On the 

 fifth or sixth night (depending on the phase of the moon) each priest- 

 hood goes into retreat in its ceremonial house. Dm'ing the day the 

 priests make praj^er sticks for the U'wanami of the different dii-ections. 

 Before sunset these are deposited at a distant spring. When the 

 messengers return from the spring the various sacred objects are 

 removed from then- jars and placed on a meal painting, along with ears 

 of corn, clay models of peach trees, animals, even money, upon which 

 the blessing of increase is invoked. All night prayers are chanted 

 and songs smig. The ceremony ends at simrise. This ceremony is 

 repeated by all the priests in their respective houses at the two full 

 moons following. 



The great ceremonies of the priests occur after the summer solstice. 

 At this time rain is lu-gently needed for the young corn plants just 

 rising out of the ground. The rainy season starts about July 1. 

 Should the rains be delayed beyond that date great hardship is 

 suffered. 



Four days following the smnmer planting of prayer sticks the 

 priesthoods begin their great series of summer retreats which last from 



** Information concerning this altar was secured from a fairly reliable informant who gained access to it 

 and made a very remarkable painting of it. The author does not consider the information quite beyond 

 question, but gives it tor what it may be worth. 



