New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-29
THE PILGRlMAGB OF THE ZUNIS.
THEY VISIT THE OCEAN AT BOSTON.
UNIQUE CEREMONIES ON THE sHoRE-sECURING
THE SACRED wATER-MR CUSHING MADE KA
KA.

THE SACRED wArER-MR CUSHING MADE A KA
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSEl
BOsToN, March 2S.-The most unique, and
in respects the remarkable, ceremony ever
witnessed In this country occurred this afternoon in
Boston harbor on the easterly shore Of Deer Island
where the Zun Indians performed their solemn reng
ious re, the like of which has not before been wit
messed by Of the present tribe Of Zuns and Is known
to them only through the mists Of tradition The Zups
six in number accompanied by Professor Francis H.
Cushing OF the Smithsonian Institution In Boston
one week ago and will leave for New-York next Friday
Tho principal object of tho visit to Boston was 10 make
pilgrimage to the Of the SUNRISE" rs they po
etcay describe the Atlantic TESy were accompanied
to-day by party of several hundred ladies and gentle
men, including the Rev. Phillips Brooks, Mayor Green
Francis Parkman the historian, Professor E. g. Morse
Of salem Professor F. W. Putnam and Professor Hors
ford Of Harvard This the first real experience OF
the Indians with the but through their traditions
they had become somewhat familiar with it. To this fac
or to their native sodity is probably due the ndiner
with which they treated their novel surroundings
They went board the j. Putnam Bradlee at 2oclocK
and went to the pilOth0use. The steamer han
gone only few rods from the shore when the two
medicine putting their heads together began one or
their prayers in low monotone. Mr. Cushing III vain
told them that they were not the and this was
not the spot for Their devotions They quietly pursued
their chant and in about ten minutes they arose. ana
leaning ont OF the windows of tho pot-house they
took pnches OF sacred meal from small calico bags
and four times they scattered 1t to the four winds OF
heaven On arriving Mt Deer Island the Indians were
placed carriage and driven to the easterly side OF
the island walk OF about mile brought the specta-
tors to the spot the Zunis emerged from hnt
which had been placed the beach, aud accompanied
by their son, Mr. Gushing, who had since
leaving Boston exchanged civilian apparel for that
savage they walked down to the edge OF the shore
Squatting the stones they began their devotions
chanting In low voice they proceeded with the cere
mony which was to raise Mr.. Gushing another grade
and place him third from the chief rank IN the tribe
As they proceeded with their dcvotions the tide, all I'M
observed by the red and the interested throng OF
spectators, making mp the beach, ana
before they OF the approach
Of the water tho elevated perches Of several in the
crowd were surrounded with water. Amid shouts Of
laughter from the thoughless they waded ashore
The Indians however, obvious OF wet feet and legs
stuck to their positions and Notwithstanding Mr. Cus1-
nGs mild suggestions that they getting wet, they
refused to until the time Lad arrived for them to
throw pinches of meal the fonr points OF the compass
embleatic Of the road of life which the young cheftan
was to pursue. When the prayer was completed they
| removed higher up tho beach, and upon the
| sand removed their wet mOccaSins and leggfnSs.
The second part in the ceremony was begun on the
sands Tie Indians and tier adopted formed In @
circle their knees and smoked the sacred cigarettes
which were brought from home for this occasion These
cigarettes made from cane and filed with sacred
tobacco, over which PRAYERS had been said in Zuni.
While ia this attitude prayer was said by each In
dyidual to the god Of the ocean. During all the cere-
mony Mp this point each member OF the tribe held in
his hand bunch OF feathers each feather having been
taken from different bird, and all tied upon what they
desgnate ''prnyer sticks" The smoke from the sacred
cigarettes blown into the feathers, which were then
regarded as charged with prayers and the punes and
prayer sticks tossed with embenatlc nOurlshes
! into the ocean. BY this means 1t waa
hoped 20 induce the god OF the ocean
to bless that portion Of the water which they will carry
back to Zuni They then dipped small sticks into the
water and tossed OF the brny drops 10 the four points
compass signify to the Great Spirit that their
! devotons were ended. The two medicine men leading
the procession started for the tent whDR small sticks
matned in their for brief period aud when they
emerged they carried large demiohns encased In
peculiarly shaped wooden These we're taken TO
the shore where the high priests hucd them with water
will be taken back 20 Zun and there blessed and
| used carefully in future religious ceremOnials
| Tie high priest then baptized the adopted son by
| placing water from the ocean on bis brow The two
priests embraced the adopted several times repeat
ing prayers aud exhOrtaOns the young man. the
terpretation Of which Isl We grasp you to-day In the
sight and hearing OF the god the ocean, the sacred
| breath Of which makes our prayers effective. We
breathe you The sacred wind Of order and
ask that you may have strength to merit the title of
Arprlthlan Shen9 We make you great caclQue. Tnis
day We make you child on whom we hang our hopes
| In and in pcate"
These and many other expressions OF confidence and
friendship uttered low tone in tho ear OF the
nOvtate, who pronounced igbe to all the rights
! aud titles OF his new office.