46 HOPI KATCINAS [eth. ann.21 



Tlio popular names of Hopi gods, aiuong- which are included 

 katciiias or clan tutelary supernaturals, are commonly of exoteric 

 origin and are oftentimes very numerous. Unfortunately the archaic 

 name is often lost, although in a few cases it is the same as the 

 popular. 



Fifth A<-i 



As after former acts, we waited a few minutes only for the next, a 

 fifth, which was somewhat similar in character to the first. A call at 

 the hatchway and an invitation from within to enter led to the 

 appearance of a procession of masked men who came down the ladder 

 bearing paraphernalia for th(>ir exhibition hidden under their arms or 

 concealed in blankets. The tiic tenders shielded the tire once more 

 with blankets, so that the room was darkened, and in the obscure 

 light the actors arranged their stage properties. When the blankets 

 were dropped, the light revealed ou the floor before us an imitation 

 field of corn, each hill of which was a clay pedestal with projecting 

 corn leaves, and behind it. as a background, a wooden framework 

 decorated with peripheral turkey feathers" and hung with two disks 

 painted with sun emblems. I'ine boughs were so arranged in the 

 framework that they tilled all vacant spaces and shielded performers 

 in the rear of the room. Several naked men, called "mudheads," 

 wearing on their heads close-titting cloth l)ags with attached knobs, 

 stot)d before the framework, which was supported by two of their 

 number. The exercises opened w-ith "roars "from behind the disks 

 and vigorous dancing bv the nmdheads before the screen. 



Soon the Haps of the sun disks swung open and from under them 

 emerged the hideous heads of twi) snake effigies, larger than those of 

 the tirst performance, but similarly constructed. These serpent heads 

 were thrust forward until their serpentine bodies, extended several 

 feet, came into view. Their heads darted back and forth, swaying 

 first to one side and then to the other, biting viciously now at the 

 audience and then at each other, while deep roars imitating the voice 

 of the serpent emerged from the rear of the room. With one stroke 

 of the head the field of corn was swept over and the serpents twisted 

 their bodies about each other. 



One of the naked men, a nuidhead. wearing the knobbed cloth 

 bag, stepped forward and grasped one of the serpent effigies by the 

 neck. He pretended to wrestle with the snake, and for a time was 

 successful, but at last the man was overcome and sent sprawling 

 on the fioor. Then anothei' advanced to the conflict, and he too 

 was thn)wn down. A youthful mudhead made a like attempt and 

 mounted the etfigy. riding on its neck as if on horseback. The whole 

 act was a realistic representation of the struggle of man with the 

 serpent. Ultimately the serpents contracted their bodies, drew back 



nSun shields commonly have eagle feathers inserted about itieir borders. 



