Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-15

Nv AAAN's ''sNS' SSs'''O ~~"''~
are those of Monqui, zuni and. Laguns.
Moquni is abou. eighty miles,> 10 the
north and west Of Fort Defiance, and
has the reputation Of having maintained
its independence since the year 1880
This, indeed, may be true Of Spanish
rule; but | am sorry 10 say this pueblo
exists simply by the Corbearancc of the
Navajos, who lay it under contribution
whenever it SO plcases them. The Mo-
quinos are peacefully disposed, seldom
If ever, engaged in warefare, except in
the effort ,oprotcct themselves and their
pueblo, under extraordinary aggression
from the Navajos, They are skil(ul in
the manufacture of woolcn blankets,
scarfs sashes, or belts, mats, and robes
of skins. They are remarkably hospi'
table to Americans and Others who Wis.
it them. In physiosnomy, they bear no
resemblance to the wild Indian, many
of them having aquiline noses, the cheek
bones not prominent and the eyes full
Of mild expression. Their charac'
terstics are also plainly observable a
mong the Indians of Zuni and Laguna,
The Indians of Zuni, as | said above
speak a language peculiar to them.
selves. Their pueblo is l45 miles west
of the valley of the Rio del Nortc. They
are greatly superior in intelligence and
quickncss to the Navajos, but are thew
ish, and given to lying and ovcrreach'
ing in trade. They number at pres
ent from one thousand to fifteen hun.
dred souls, and | should judge are
rapidly approaching extinction as pco
pie. On the Mesa Of Gallisteo, three
or four miles to the southeast of the
present pueblo, arc the ruins of old Zu
nj; their tradition is, that great many
years ago the old pueblo was attacked
by large body of Spaniards, who af
ter severe contest got possession of it
and drove of the inhabitants. Wheth
er this refers to the conquest of the coun
try by the soldiers of Coronado or is 0
later date, after the Spanish scttlemcn
of New Mexico was we'll established
it is not easy 10 determine.
The tradition of their origin is as fol
lows: That in the beginning tho ear,l
was small, though occupied by all th
Indian races at the same time; that a
the earth grew they became moro widel,
separated from each other, until fnal,
became fixed in the positions in whicl
they are now found, except the Navajos
who. finding themselves far removed Il
the west, came and placed themsclvc
in their present home nearer to the Puc
T bios" The Zunis seldom wear hea'
covering, except it be colorcd handker
chief or band of cloth passed round til
head and tied behind. The hair is al
lowed to grow long behind, but it i
knotted up and bound with some part
colored cloth or braid. In front it
allowed to cover the entire forehead, bu
is cut square off at the line of the eye
J brows. This method Of wearing tn
, hair is common to all the Pueblo tribe:
!, and distinguishes them from wild Ind
ans at glance. One Of their supersti
tions is, that the skeletons Of the dea
: walk about at night, and they exhib
r great fear at The sight Of any portion
the skeleton of human being when see
within house. The young men Off,
, nj, Moqui and Luguna are expert knit
!, tcrs, and some Of them may be seen ;
any moment knitting woolen stocking
or Logging. ] have often observed Nav;
, jos wearing, in place Of their buckski
, leggings, the long and thick wolfe
+ stockings they had procurcl from IL
{ Pucblos.
Each pueblo has caciquc, who i
, in all respects, their chief pcrsonag
l being principal chief, priest and med
cine man. This parsonage is of the
r own election, but, in a portion Of Il
s territory of New Mexico, they have
4 governor and an alcade, appointed fro
=. their number by the governor Of Ne
v Mexico. .r.
n In my former letter to you | notice
some Of the habits, &c., OF the Nava
/. tribe of Indians. Their proper nan
h as a tribe among themselves, is Tenn;
!, signifying man, in like manner as Apac'
}. signifies man among the Apache trlb
t The appelation Of Navajo is evident
h of Spanish origin, such word bell
II found in the Spanish language, signlf
5 ing in one instance, pool, or sma
d lake, in another, level piece Of groun
a The Navajos have no hereditary,
/. elective chiefs, their principal men a