674 ZUNI RITUAL POETRY [eth. ann.47 



He goes off a little way, and sitting down waits for an omen. The 

 four messengers return at the same time to the ceremonial house and 

 report what they have seen. Plans are made according to the 

 divinations. 



Prayers of the Scalp Dance 



Whenever an enemy is killed the slayer, if not already a member of 

 the bow priesthood or one of the other two warrior societies, the 

 Hunters (SaniaRakwe) or the Cactus Society (Rocikwe), must imme- 

 diately join the bow priesthood to protect himself from the malevo- 

 lence of the slain enemy. The initiation takes place in the course of 

 the scalp dance which is held to celebrate the victory. 



The purpose of the scalp dance is twofold. First, to purify the 

 scalper from the contaminating contact with the dead and make 

 him safe for human association and by placing him imder the protec- 

 tion of the war gods, through membersliip in their cult, the bow priest- 

 hood, save him from pursuit by the ghost; the second purpose is 

 to propitiate the dead enemy, strip him of his power for evil, and 

 turn to good account liis potentialities as a rain maker. This propi- 

 tiation of the scalp is primarily the office of the scalp cliief, who also 

 I'ctains guardianship of the scalps reposing m the scalp house. 



Accompanying these important secret rites of purification and pro- 

 pitiation are the great public festivities. Tliroughout the twelve days 

 of the ceremony unrestrained merrymaking accompanied by sexual 

 license is indulged in by young and old of both sexes. These three 

 strands run side by side, all culminating in the great ceremonies of 

 the final day. 



The order of events in tliis long and elaborate ritual has been de- 

 scribed in the accounts by Mrs. Stevenson '" and Doctor Parsons '' 

 with varying emphasis on the different aspects, according to the 

 affiliation of the informants. 



For convenience in reading the following prayers the events may 

 lie briefly summarized. 



The returning war party camps overnight outside the village. At 

 dawn four men chosen to announce their return ride toward the village 

 uttering theu" war cry. They are met by the scalp chief, who inquires 

 concerning the exploits of the war party. 



During the daj^ the scalp chief secretes the scalp at a distance from 

 the village in a diminutive shelter of brush. The scalper and his 

 "elder brother, " the member of the bow priesthood who has "caught" 

 the novice, take turns in watching over it. Toward evening they go 

 tlii'ough a sham conflict and take the scalp, bringing it to a place on 

 the plain where pekwin has prepared an altar. Here they are met 



'" Twenty-third Ann. Kept. Bur. .\nier. Et.hn., p. 578. " Scalp Ceremonial at Zufii. 



