946 



ZUNI KATCINAS 



concerned the economic and social aspects of the ceremony. A native 

 account, in text, of preparations will be published elsewhere. 



An abridged version of the Ca'lako is performed at the village of 

 Sitcumovi on the first mesa, and is a recent importation from Zufii. 

 It came in about 70 years ago when a great famine caused nimierous 

 migrations throughout the pueblo region. The ceremony is described 

 by Fewkes in Hopi Katciuas. 



KOYEMCI 

 (Plates 23 and 24) 



There are 10 Koyemci, differing slightly in appearance and conduct. 

 All wear knobbed masks of cotton cloth, stained with the same pink 

 clay that is used on their bodies. The knobs of the masks are filled 

 with cotton wool and seeds, and (Parsons, Notes on Zufii) dust 

 from the footprints of townspeople. AVrapped around the base of the 

 mask is a piece of native black cloth. Under this they wear concealed 

 their packets of seeds. 



The Koyemci carry the seeds of various native crops, as follows: 



A'wan tatcu, native squa.sh. 

 Pekwin, yellow corn. 

 Pi'lanciwan'i, blue corn. 

 Muyapona, white corn. 

 Ecotsi, red corn. 



Naiaei, black corn. 

 Itsepaca, speckled corn. 

 Posuki, sweet corn. 

 Jvalutsi, water gourds. 

 Ts'alaci, cipitako.'^ 



When the Koyemci come to play for the katcina dances they wear 

 only a kilt of black cotton cloth. They do not wear under this the 

 othel•^\^se indispensable breechcloth. Instead they have tied about 

 the penis a cotton cord. This makes erection of the penis impossible, 

 and symbolizes the sexual impotence of the Koyemci. The Koyemci 

 on occasions remove their kilts and stand naked before the people. 

 "It is all right for the Koyemci to take off their covering, because 

 they are just like children." 



When the Koyemci come to announce the opening of the Ca'lako 

 festival they are clothed in the usual ceremonial costume of white 

 shirt, trousers, and native moccasins. Hanging from the right shoulder 

 they wear pouches made from the whole skins of fawns. 



When dancing in the Ca'lako houses, they wear brown moccasins, 

 and carry their fawn skin bags, as shown in the drawings. In their 

 own house the mask and moccasins are laid aside. The masks are 

 kept in a basket on the altar, and when not in use, the moccasins 

 and pouch of each Koyemci are hung on a peg above his official seat. 



^- "The corn that is all puffed out with the kernels broken open. These symbolize the person who is 

 always happy and laughing. A mother who wants her baby to be happy and to laugh all the time will 

 eat this kind of com. The youngest of the Koyemci brings it so that the people may always be happy.'* 



