CvLIN] BALL RACE: ZUNI 687 
Choo-per-que, Moo-ha-que, O-ha-que, and Uts-anu-que. The contest lies between 
the members of these different estufas, and not between the members of the 
different clans or parts of the pueblo, as has been stated by some writers. 
Whatever estufas wish to contest select their men. When the men have been 
selected it is announced in the evening from the house-tops. This generally 
takes place three or four days prior to the race. This race is generally held 
at Zuni, but may be held at one of the farming pueblos, as Pescado, Ojo Caliente, 
or Nutria; in any case it is estufa against estufa. On the evening of the day 
before the race each side sends for a Priest of the Bow. Upon arrival he 
puts into the mouth of each one a piece of glass about 1 inch long; and with 
some sacred meal, taken from his pouch, he paints a mask on each one’s face, 
then blesses them, and they repair to the hills 3 or 4 miles distant. They 
depart in absolute silence. Not a word may they speak unless they hear or 
frighten some wild animal in front of them. If the sound comes from behind, 
it is considered an ill omen. Having reached the hills, they dig a hole about 
the length of the arm and deposit in it some sacred meal, native tobacco, hewe, 
shells, and other things held valuable by the Zunhis, and then retire a short dis- 
tance and do not speak above a whisper. In a little while one will start for 
the pueblo, saying nothing, and the rest follow in single file. As they return, 
any manifestation of power, as thunder or lightning, is considered a good omen, 
as it will make them strong. 
The priest who blessed them before they started awaits their return and 
accompanies them to the house of one of the racers or that of any member of 
the same estufa. As they reach the door of the house, those within say, 
“Have you come? “We have,” they reply. “Come in and sit down.” The 
priest then blesses them, and a single cigarette is made of native tobacco and 
passed among the number. Then they retire for the night. Next morning 
everything is alive in Zuni. Indeed, for several days past the whole population 
has been somewhat excited over the coming event. Everyone takes sides, from 
the gray-haired old warrior, who believes the ti-kwa-we to be the greatest game 
ever held, to the blushing maiden, whose lover is one of the contestants. 
Excitement runs high, and the gambling disposition of the Indian has its 
fullest encouragement. The small boy meets his playmate and stakes all his 
possessions. The veteran gambler once more tries the turn of fortune, and to 
counteract his heavier betting he makes a long prayer to Ah-ai-u-ta or plants 
an additional plume. The contestants themselves engage in betting, and every 
conceivable thing of value to an Indian is either carried to the plaza, south of 
the old Spanish church, where it is put up against something of equal value 
held by an opponent, or is hurried off to the trader's store and turned into 
money. Ponies, sheep, goats, money, beads, bracelets, all are wagered. Some- 
times also they sell the race. This is not generally admitted by the Zunis, but 
I have it on good authority that it has been done. 
The day for the race has arrived; the runners haye been up since early 
morning, and have taken a spin over part of the course. During the morning 
nearly all the members of the estufa drop in to tell them how much they have 
wagered on their succe and to encourage them. About an hour before the 
time to start they eat a little hewe, or paper bread, soaked in water. Hewe is 
one of the chief breadstuffs of the Zunis, and a good hewe-maker is in reputation 
throughout the tribe as a good pastry cook is among us. Hewe is made from 
corn batter spread with the hand on a large flat stone over a slow fire. It 
takes but a moment to bake it, is almost as thin as paper, very crisp, and will 
vary in color according to the color of the corn used. This repast of hewe is 
accompanied by a piece of humming-bird, as the flight of that bird is so very 
swift. 
