The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-08-17
Zuni Customs,

The Xuni Indians are in many respects
similar to those Of tho Moqui and other
Pucblos, but speak language unintolli-
eible to the latter. Their dress resembles
that of the Chinese, and many Of them,
notably the women, have the physical
characteristics of the latter, among which
are oval faces, merry, almond shaped
eyes, and n similar complexion.
Dwelling with them as with the Mo-
ouis, are several families Of albnos,
which have been among them during ma.
ny generations. These never intermarry
with their darker neighbors, between
whom and themselves there exists q mu.
tual dislike.
The usual dress Of the men consists Of
cotton tunic, and loose trowsers of the
same material, reaching half way below
the knee, the tunic being often gathered
by leathern belt or a gayly colorel
woolen sash, in the manufacture Of whicl
the Moquis 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 one hun.
dred and fifty dollars coin each. This
finer work in colors seems not to be un-
derstood by tho 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 always an outer garment of wool
falling from the shoulders to the ankle,
and gathered at the waist by a broad
woolen sash of bright colors, the fringed
or .asseled ends Of which hang nearly to
the feet. Knitted wooden leggings and
high buckskin moccasius complete the
dress of the lower limbs, while their beau,
tiiul arms are uncovered, or concealed at
pleasure within the ample fold Of their
dress or blanket, the latter being worn
with q grace almost classical. The hea.
Wy black hair of both sexes is cut-or, as
our ladies have it, Janged-over the fore.
head, sometimes restrained by cotton
band around the head, and often with the
maidens dressed in puffs at the side and
top of the head, in q manner to heighten
their resemblance to the Chinese.
Their hocks are numerous, and consti.
ziques gave his daughter two thousand
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
q radius Of twenty miles, where are small.
er pueblos, which have each had thriving
populations in past centuries, but which
are now occupied only during the sum.
mer months by families from Zuni. Their
dependence upon irrigation makes agri-
culture laborious, but their JOY at har.
vest time, when young and old of both
sexes join in gathering and threshng their
crops of grain, is contagious in its merri-
ment Circus rings are formed near the
village, the clay soil being leveed and
beaten until firm smooth surface is
obtained, and around this, horses, asses
and Indians trot in a grotesquc process
sion, and with an accompaniment of songs
and Jokes, threshing the sheaves ofgrain
The lordy Navajo at such times, visiting
there for trading purposes, strides about,
king in stature and grace, or iazily
smokes his cigarette, while he watches q
LABOR he despises.