CULIN] BALL RACE: TARAHUMARE 675 
fancy, as light as the deer itself, and the noise keeps them from falling 
asleep. ; 
In the afternoon before the race the managers and the runners meet together, 
the latter bringing the balls with them, to receive an omen as to which party is 
going to win. Water is put into a big earthen tray, and the two balls are 
started simultaneously from one end of the tray to the other. The party 
whose ball reaches the other end first will be the winner, and they repeat this 
as many times as there are to be circuits. Three or four hours before sunset 
the chief calls the runners together and makes a speech, warning them against 
any kind of cheating. Just as in horse racing, rascally tricks are more or less 
common, especially if the Indians have become half civilized. It may happen 
that some one will bribe the runners with a cow not to run fast; afterward 
he may also cheat the runner. It is not uncommon for an important runner 
to simulate illness’. ‘ Our rivals,’ he may say, “have bewitched us.” The 
whole thing then comes to nothing, and the wagers are divided between the 
parties, who return to their home to await the next race. 
There is no prize given to the runners themselves, and they gain nothing by 
it unless in helping their friends to win wagers. A good runner is also greatly 
admired by the women, which may be of some account to him. It is also the 
custom for a man who has been very lucky with his wagers to give a small part 
of his winnings to the successful runner, who, however, is allowed to take 
Fig. 894. 
Fig. 894. Stone kicking balls; diameters, 2+ and 2¢ inches; Pima Indians, Arizona; cat. no. 86014, 
United States National Museum. 
Fic. 895. Wooden kicking ball; diameter, 2} inches; Pima Indians, Arizona; cat. no. 27847, 
United States National Museum. 
neither beads nor money, but only light-weight things made from wool or cot- 
ton; but his father can receive gifts for him and buy something for his son’s 
benefit. 
On the day of the race stones are laid on the ground in a row, one stone for 
each circuit to be run, and as the race progresses count is kept by taking away 
one stone for each circuit finished by the runners. It is from this practice that 
the tribe derives its name, Tarahumari—from tara (count), and humari (run), 
people who run according to count. . 
Trees are marked with crosses, so as to show the circuit to be run. Three 
to six watchmen are placed along the circuit to see that no cheating is done 
during the race. Each party helps the side in which it is interested, so that 
their runners may win the race. 
The women, as the runners pass them, stand ready with dippers of warm 
water, or pinole, which they offer to them to drink, and for which they stop 
for a few seconds. The wife of the runner may throw a jar of tepid water over 
him as he passes, in order to refresh him, and all incite the runners to greater 
speed by cries and gesticulations. Drunken people must not be present, because 
