New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-08
THE zrNIS AND THEIR CUSTOMS.

THE ZUNIS And THEIR CUSTOMS.
In the Washington correspondence OF The
TRIBUNE q few days ago we printed an inter-
esting story concerning the visit 10 the capltal
of half dozen representatives of the Lunl
tribe of Indians from the interior of Arizona.
They are in charge of Mr.. F. Gushing, white
man who has been adopted by the tribe, III
itiated into the several religious orders peculiar
TO their mode of worship, and elevated to the
position of chief. The history, habits and GUS
toms Of this comparatively unknown tribe
offer an attractive field of study and invcStlga-
ton for ethnologists and it Is not unlikely that
the science of philology may be enriched by the
study of their language, which is said to be one
of the purcst and simplest dialects yet discov-
cred. Another interesting feature of the tribe
is its peculiar religious cultus, the forms, cerc
monies and ritual of which were described at
some length by our correspondent. The pur-
nose of Mr.. Cushing in becoming a member OF
the tribe by adoption and passing through inc
several orders or degrees in the somewhat COM
plicated system which constitutes their relg-
ious organization, is simply the acquisition Oh
information not otherwise attanable concern
ing their origin, history, traditions, language
and religion. The value of such contributions
TO science, even though they stop short OF
throwing any additional light upon the history
of the aboriginal races, hardly need be pointed
out. It's purely in the interest OF science that
Mr.. Gushing is pursuing his Investigations and
his enthusiasm in them is deserving OF praise
whatever may be the results.
is perhaps unnecessary to say that in carry
inc out his object, which requires him to affect
a belief in the religion of the Iunis and to take
mart in their ceremonies and ritual, he Is
obliged to resort to deception. They are, as
he tells us, very supplemented and sincere
people. devout in their habits and earnest III
their religious belief. To penetrate the secrets
of their religious orders he has affected con-
version to and belief in their system OF religion,
the highest degree of which he will be indicted
into upon his return from the present Journey,
which has been undertaken for the purpose OF
performing some ceremonial or sacrlliclal rlto
upon the shore of the ocean. The charming
simplicity and dOcility of these people, so well
illustrated by the apparent ease with which an
intelligent white man has won their confidence
and been admitted to their most sacred mys-
ferries. are perhaps more strikingly shown by
tle fact that they have never been at war with
tle whites. Never having killed white man,
it follows naturally that they are not in the en-
ioyment Of Government annuities. They
weave or knit their own blankets cultivate the
fields do not live exclusively by the chase, are
agricultural rather than nOmadic, and really
present an interesting picture of Arcadian life
and manners. The existence of this aboriginal
tribe, with its unique religious cultus ana
elaborate ritual, its unmiXed language and
pure idioms, and possibly its ancient legends
and traditions raises questions OF profound
scientific and archaeological interest. Mr..
Cushing's zeal and enthusiasm III pushing IN
vcstigation into their solution are so worthy of
admiration when viewed simply in the light OF
| scientific inquiry that we hesitate to make any
comment upon them in the nature OF criticism.
Possibly no harm may come from the dccep-
| ton which in the investigation oil the ancient
! customs and religion of this people he finds it
necessary to practise upon their simple and
| confdinp natures. We certainly hope not.
| And vet how can we hope that no harm will
come from such an exposition OF the elect OF
civilization upon the minds of these people,
broucht for the first time into Intimate contact
with its highest attainmcnts and best results I!
| However worthy the object the unpleasant Tact
remains that it is only attained through what
II
must be called by the hard names OF hypocrisy
and deceit. Is there no escape from the
| casuistry that justfies the means 10y the end
II must be confessed to our shame that the utter
| failure of all efforts of our Government to fix
| upon some definite policy under which Indian
outbreaks, massacres and wars should be
avoided is due to the fact that we have con-
tinually and sometimes even purposely de-
ceived them. Lying and stealing were the first
ripe fruits of civilization that revealed them
selves TO the simple consciousness OF the red
man. Almost the first thing lac learned from
contact with the Caucasian was that the white
man could not be trusted. The results OF that
revelation we have learned in unnumbcred
Indian outbreaks, the end of which we have not
seen yet.
Over the border in the British Possessions,
where for SO many years the lludson's Bay Com