, 1882-06-09

priest of the bow, hrst caclque or war
of Zuni; TIE na-tsa-h, or Medicine
Flower" Mr.. Frank H. Gushing, head
war chief and chief of the council Of
Zuni; Pa-lo-wah- ti-wa, (who buries,
or the burier,) head chief or governor
of Zuni and warrior of the Order of
Fire; Ki-a-si, second chief of the bow
and second cacique of war of Zuni;
Nana-he, (tuft corn scout) Moqui,
adopted into Zuni. They were ac-
companied by party of several hun
dred ladies and gentlemen, including
the Rev. Philips Brooks, Mayor
Green, Francis Parkman, the histor-
ian, Professor Il. s. Morse, of Salem,
Professor +. w. Putnam, and Pro
fessor Horsford, of Harvard. On ar
irving at Deer Island the Indians
were placed in a buggy and driven to
the easterly side of the island All
of them, including Mr.. Gushing, were
clad in thin, red, woven tunics, and
brilliant adornments. Squatting on
the stones they began their devotions,
chanting in low voice as they pro
ceeded with the ceremony, which was
to raise Mr.. Gushing another grade
and place him third from the chief
rank in the tribe. As they proceeded
the tide surrounded them. The In.
dians, however, oblivious of wet feet
refused to move until the time haC
arrived for them to thow pinches Of
meal to the four points of the com
pass, emblematic of the road of life
which the young chieftain was tc
pursue. The second part in the Ger
emony was begun in the sands. The
Indians and their adopted son formec
in a circle on their knees, and smoked
the sacred cigarettes which were
brought from home for this occasion
While in this attitude, prayer was
said by each individual to the god o.
the ocean. During all the ceremony
up to this point, each member of the
tribe held in his hand bunch o.
feathers, each feather having beer
taken from different bird, and al
tied upon what they designate prayer
sticks" The smoke from the sa
cred cigarettes was blown into the
feathers, which We're then regarded
as charged with prayers, and the
plumes and prayer-sticks were tossed
with emblematic tiourishes, into the
ocean. BY this means it was hopeC
to induce the god of the ocean to bles:
that portion of the water which they
will carry back to Zuni. They ther
dipped small sticks into the water
and tossed off the briny drops to the
four points of the compass, to signify
to the Great Spirit that their devo
tions were ended. The two medicine
men leading, the procession started
for the tent, whirling small sticks
which were attached to a long string
The Zunis remained in their tents fol
a brief period, and when they emerged
they carried seven large demijohns
encased in peculiarly shaped wooder
cases. These were taken to the shore
where the high priests filled then
with water, which will be taken back
to Zuni. and there blessed, and used
carefully in future religious ceremo
malls. The high priest then baptized
the adopted son by placing wates
from the ocean on his brow. The
two priests embraced the adopted
son several times, repeating prayer,
and exhortations to the young man
the Interpretation of which is: I'VE
grasp you to-day in the sight anc
hearing of the god of the ocean, tht
sacred breath of which makes oul
prayers effective. We breathe into
you the sacred breath of our order
and we ask that you may have
strength to merit the title of Arprith
Ian Shena. We make you a great
cacique. This day we make you on
child, on whom we hang our hopes
in war and in peace" These word:
We're uttered in a low tone to the
noyitiate, who was pronounced eli
gible to all the rights and titles of hi:
new Office. -ArgOnaut
|