The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-04-06
THE ZUNIS AT THE SEASIDE.
A Quaint and Curious Observance OF An
cient Rites.

Boston, March 29.-Among the mat
tiers engaging the attention of Boston
during the week have been the repre-
sentatIves of the tribe of PueLlo Indians,
WHO for centuries have lived in the ter.
ritnry embracing Arizona and New
Mexico, the party here consisting of i've
leading chiefs of the Zuni race, accom-
panied by Frank Ii. Gushing, ethnolo-
gist of the Smithsonian Institute, Wash
ingtOn. Cushing's mission of exploring
the secrets and sacredly cherished rites
| and customs of the Pueblos is one of the
most important in its ultimate view ev-
er attempted in this couptry, for the
kHQwledge lie has gained since his
adoption into the tribe and its secret or
ders has clearly established the fact that
this race is the oldest on the American
contingent.
HIS RESEARCHES
will, it is said, throw naw light upon
many points now not understood, and
Will soon be given to the public, for to-
days ceremonies go far toward COM
pleting his mission.
The Zunis came TO Boston to the great
| feast with two objects in view. First,
| filling OF the sacred canes and gourds
with salt water, and, second, the initia-
ton of Cushing into their highest pEdeF,
known as tbs H1a Han Pie sacred
canes apd gourds contain water taken
from the Gulf of Mexico by Iuni cap
tive 200 years ago, and since used drop
by drop in certain sacriAcial rites By
the tFibe, according 10 fables handed
must be replepished by water from the
"Great Eastern" {Atlantic) when nearly
exhausted; hence, to-day's ceremonies.
The order into which Cushing was mi
tiated, he had been striving to enter for
nearly three years, its secrets and an
cient legends containing many valuable
points leading up to the success Cf bis
mission,
| Fo-nAY's TRoCEEDIEGS
| which wero Witnessed by the public Of
| ficials and many newspaper correspond
| ents and scientific men, occurred at Deer
| Island, in Boston haFhor, and facing on
the Atlantic ocean, They had been ron
Sered possible by the courtesy of Mayor
| Green, who last week invited the Zunis
TO take trip to Deer Island. To-day,
the locality having been deemed suita-
Bile for the performance of the sacred
rites, tie Indians had come so far 70
celebrate, the Invitation had been ac-
cepted and the steamer Of the public in.
stitHtiops department Of the city was as
signed for the use of tbs visitors in car
rying them TO the island
| Invitations were also extended by the
mayor to various prominent citizens
members of the city government, the fac
ulty of Harvard college, etc, TO accom-
pany the Zunis ON their proposed trip
and there were many acceptances of the
same. Consequently when the steamer
left her wharf at o'clock p. II. to-day
she carried, beside Dir. Cushing ana bis
| &c c55n tlat4 Il
Representing nearly every walk of official
business and professional life, and about
SOME fifty-six ladies, DESTROYS of witness
ing the days ceremonies. A half hour!
pleasant sail brought the party 10 fhi
island;
REEIRTNG 10 a TENT
which had been erected for their use OF
the Eastern shore, the Zuuis, who had
during their trip thraagh tho harbol
manifested their delight at the many
wonderful things they saw in the mos
childish and unaffected manner, quickly
prepared themselves for opening tht
ceremony, that of taking ocean water
They re-appeared, together with Cushin.
(the latter in full Zuni costume), viii
their faces painted, proceeding 70 The
waters edge, Gha many specta
torg and several entefprising pho
ltogfapRers having formed large semi
circle about the spot, the patty croqcheS
upon rocks and chanted one Of ~ si
prayers inYOEing The GaG OF waters
and ScatterlRg "prayer -four" anC
apiumed sticks used in their religion
services upon the surface of the water
The prayer chant (Which the Zuni
and their white brother were lcni
lime in delivering, the tide mean tiq'
rising abon. and YetfiAg tReir feet
kaTiqg Teen concluded, other prayer
and iIvocations followed.
The action Of
FILLING THE SACRED 6oURDs AM
next took place, and then several larg
vessels were filled with ocean water 4
be taken bach tc tAs hone OF Zunis Il
the lar west, as a Supply against tn.
, time when the contents of The gourd
and canes shall have become exhausted
Both proceedings were eiiea5ad will
much detail IF Performance, not re
curing mention In this dispatch. Tn
, sacred water having been obtained,
Mr.. CUSHING WAS INITIATED.
. into the order "Ka Ka." This ceremon,
r was conducted by the indians with
} great deal OF aafrestness aud impres
/ sivenes5, and strongly held the attentiol
J of the spectators. In brief il consistei
( in hapti5ing the neephyte, by the chic
, priest Of the tribe pouring sacred waite
, upon his head; also bathing his hand
: in the same way, and in each of the u
5 mis- embracing him in turn, beginning
:, with the chief priest During the en-
; bracing process the secrets of the orde
! were whispered into the ears of NJ
!. Gushing, and during the whole cerem6
I ny prayers were bsing constantly o.
: feEed end RArioAs mystic rites perform
9 ed. Il was nearly ! O'Clock p n. whel
e Mt. Gushing was declared "oas of ou
1 Arpilhl la nshiwa heafeTs of the bow
The ceremony concluded, visit wa
a paid TO public institutions on the islam
e and then the party returned to the Cit
9 The Zunis leave Boston Friday f
d Worcester. where they and Mr.. Cushin
< will be guests for q few hours OF Z
Is American Antiquarian society Thent
Il they go 70 New York.