CULIN] DICE GAMES: ZUNI 219 
joint of no. 2 falling below that of no. 3. He then slides no. 4 into that of 
no. 2, also allowing the joint to extend below. No. 1 is held crosswise, the 
others at an acute angle (the reeds are sometimes crossed at right angles) 
with the grooved side against the corresponding sides of the others, the joint 
to the left, and the opposite end projecting a little more than an inch beyond the 
group [figure 295]. When the representative of the younger God of War 
plays, he runs no. 8 into the groove of no. 2 and no. 1 inte no. 3, and crosses 
them with no. 4. The reed which crosses the others is designated as the 
thrower, but the same reed, as stated, is not used by both players. In this 
position the reeds are thrown upward against an inverted basket, 10 or 12 
inches in diameter, covered with a piece of blanket or cloth and suspended 
from the ceiling. The reeds strike the cloth over the basket and fall to a 
blanket spread on the floor to receive them. If played out of doors, which is 
seldom the case at present, the basket is suspended above the blanket from 
the apex of three poles, arranged tripod fashion, with sufficient space beneath 
for the blanket and players. 
When the representative of the elder God of War throws and the concave 
side of no. 1 and the convex sides of the others are up, the trick is won; or if 
FIG. 295. Method of placing reeds in playing sh6éliwe; Zuni Indians, Zuni, New Mexico; from 
Mrs Stevenson. 
pro. 1 be convex side up with the others concave up, the trick is won. If no. 1 
crosses no. 3, or yice versa, convex sides up, the trick is won, even should one 
cross the others by but a hairsbreadth. If nos. 2 and 4+ should be crossed as 
described, the trick goes to the opponent. If all convex sides are up, or vice 
versa, the trick is lost. If the convex side of no. 3 is up and the others have 
the concave sides up, the trick belongs to the opponent. 
When the representative of the younger God of War plays, the counts are 
reversed. Silver buttons are the favorite chips for the game. Though shéliwe 
is the favorite of the lot games of the elder Ah’shiwi, it being the game of the 
professional gamblers of the pueblo, there is no thought of personal gain when 
it is played by the Ah’shiwanni for rains. At this time great ceremony is ob- 
served and buckskins are used in place of the cloth covering over the basket and 
the blanket on the floor. The skin on the floor has the head to the east; a 
broken circle, forming a quadrant, is drawn on the skin. 
There is but little ceremony associated with the game when ae ed by the pro- 
fessional or other gamblers. The most abandoned, however, would not dare to 
play without first offering prayers to the Gods of War, invoking their blessing, 
and breathing on their reeds. 
