Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-29
ZHni Customs.

The Zuni Indians are in many respects
similar to those of the Moqui and other
Fueblos, but speak language unintelli-
glole to the latter Their dress resembles
that OF the Chinese, and many of them,
notaoly the women, have the physical
characteristics of the latter, among which
are oval faces, merry, almond-shaped eyes
and similar complexion.
Dwelling with them, as with the Noquis,
are several families of albinos, which have
oeen among them during many genera
tlons. These never intermaTy with their
darker neighbors, between whom and
themselves there exists mutual dislike.
The usual dress of the men consists of a
cotton tunic, and loose trowsers of the
same material, reaching halfway below
the Knee, the tunic being often gathered
by leathern belt or gayly-colored WOOL
en- sash, IN the manufacture of which the
Moquls excel Over all is worn in cold
weather Navajo blanket of brilliant hues
and waterproof, varying in value from
five dollars to five horses We have seen
several made by the Navajos for officers
and traders valued at $3.50 coin each. This
inner work IN colOrS seems not to be under
stood by the Zunis, or they perhaps find it
more profitable to exchange their wool for
the blankets, devoting themselves to their
farms and herds. The women wear al
ways an outer garment ofwool falling from
the shoulders nearly to the ankle and
gathered at the waist by broad wooden
sash Of bright colors, the fringed or tas-
seled ends of which hang nearly to the
feet. Knitted wooden leggings and high
buckskin moccasins complete the dress of
the lower limbs, while their beautiful
arms are uncovered or concealed at pleas
ure within the ample folds of their dress
or blanket, the latter being worn with a
grace almost classical. The heavy black
hair of both sexes is cut-Or, as our ladies
have it, 6anged-over the forehead some
times restrained by q cotton band around
the head, and often with the maidcns
dressed in puffs at the side and top of the
head in a manner to heighten their resem-
blance to the Chinese
Their fiocks are numerous and consti-
tute their chief wealth. One of the ca
ziques gave his daughter 1900 sheep, as a
dover, short time before our visit.
Their farms extend down the Zuni Valley
several miles, in addition to which they
cultivate other valleys within a radius of
twenty miles, where are smaller pueblos
which have each had thriving populations
in past centuries, but which are now oc-
cupied only during the summer months
by families from Zuni. Their dependence
upon irrigation makes agriculture labori-
Gus, but their JOY at harvest time, when
young and old of both sexes join in gath
ering and threshing their crops Of grain,
is contagious in its merriment. Circus
rings are formed near the village, the clay
soil being leveled and beaten until firm,
smooth surface is obtained, and around
this horses, asses and Indians trot in gro
tesque procession, with an accompani-
ment of songs and jokes, threshing the
sheaves of grain. The lordly Navajo, at
such times, visiting there for trading pur-
poses, strides about, king in stature and
grace, or lazily smokes his cigarette, while
he watches labor he despises s. William
@. Nann5ng, in Harper's Nagazine for
4;yn1tet