Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-31
PUBLIC LEDGER.


W. =
Boston special to Cincinnati COmmercial.l
The Zunis came to Boston to the
great feast with two objects in view,
First, the filling of the sacred canes
and gOurds with salt water, and, Sec
ond, theinitiation ofCushing into their
highest order, known as the "kaks.
The sacred canes aud gourds contain
water taken from the Gulfot Mexico
by Zuni captives twenty years ago,
and since used drop BY drop in certain
sacrifcial rights by the tribe according
toa fable handed down through cen
turtles. The canes must be replenishea
BY water from the Great Eastern At,
lantic) when nearly exhausted,
Hence to-days ceremonies. The
Order into which Cushing
was initiated, he had been striv-
ing to enter for nearly three years,
its secrets and ancient legends contain
ing many valuable points leading up to
the success OF his mission. To-3ay's
proceedings. which wers witnessed hy
public officials, many newspaper cor
respondents and scientific men.
occurred st Deer Island, in Boston
Harbor, and facing on the Atlantic
ocean. A half hours pleasant sail
brought the party to the island. Re
firing to the tent which had been
erected for their use on the eastern
shore, the Zunis, who had daringtheir
trip throughout the harbor manifested
their delight at the many wonderful
things they saw, in a most childish and
unaffected manner, q1iokly prepared
themselves for the opening ceremony
that OF taking ocean water. They
reappeared, together with Cushing
(the latter in full Huni costume) with
their faces painted, and proceeding to
the waters edge, the many spectators
and several enterprising photograph
ers having formed a large semi-circle
about the spot, the party crouched
upon the rocks and chanted one oil
their prayers, invoking the God OF
waters" and scattering prayer four
and "plumed sticks" used in their
religious services, upon the surface of
the water. The prayer chant
which the Zunis and their white
brother were long time in delivering, !
the tide, meantime, rising about them |
and wetting their feet-having been |
concluded, other prayers and inyoca-
tions followed.
The action Of filling the sacred |
gourds and canes next took place, and |
several large vessels were filed with |
ocean water, ITO be taken back to tie |
home of the Zuni in the far West,
supply against the time when the con |
tents of the gourds and canes shall !
have become exhausted. Both pre-, |
ceedings were attended with much de-
tail of performance, not requiring
mention in this dispatch. The sacred |
water having been obtained, Mr., |
Gushing was initiated into the order
of "Kaka" This ceremony was con.
Quoted by the Indians with a great
deal Of earnestness and impressiveness
and strongly held the attention of the |
spectators. In brief, it consisted in
baptizing the neophyte, by the Chief
Priest Of The tribe pouring sacred
water upon his head, also bathing his
hands in the same, and in each Zuni |
embracing him in turn, beginning with |
the Chief Priest. During the en-
bracing process the secrets of the or
der were whispered into the ear of |
Mr.. Gushing, and during the whole |
ceremony prayers we're being constant
ly offered and various mystic rites per
formed. 1t was nearly 5 pm when
Mr.. Gushing was declared one of our |
" Arpilhlaashiwa" of the |
bow. nlrEn- .-Ea,h.