Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-11
The Zusi Race.

The Zumi Race.
EXPERIENCES OF MR. PRANK H. CUSHING AMONG
STRANGE PEoPLE-HIs LECTURE AT THE NATIONAL
HUsEUM.
The lee ture hall OF the National Museum build
Ing was filled last night to hear Mr. Frank Fl.
Gushing. OF the Smithsonian Institution, relate his
experiences among the Zuni Indians OF New Mex
leo, who, despite their constant contact for 350
years with European civilization. as represented
by the old Spanish explorers and Franciscan
monks, and the modern settler, have preserved
their savage Individuality and their ancient tradi-
tons, forms and customs interrupted The six
Zuni Indians, with barbarous names. brought by
Mr.. Cushing from their distant homes to see the
stOcean OF the Sunrise" were introduced to the
; andenee, ana sat In grm majesty arrayed In all
bands during the entire lecture At its
close two OF the Indians IN tde brief speeches of
greeting, which were Interpreted by Mr.. Cushing,
the whole party united in low song or chant,
and The youngest OF the party gave specimen OF
Zuni dance, Keeping time with sort OF chant
humrned by his brothers, The dancer was a Moaui
VINO mas been adopted into the tribe OF Zuni.
THE zUNI PEOPLE
MI Gushing said the Zuns were low In stature,
with well developed limbs, and great diversity
OF facial expression. The women are shorter and
farer. The children are, perhaps, the most beau
tiful children in the world. but as they grow Old
get ugly, like other Indians. In disposition the
Zunis are peaceable and gentle, it being rule
with them to be always careful and
eonslderate In speech: intellectually they are the
an element OF conservatism about them that pre-
vented them taking readily to new notions Until
ne visited them two years and six months ago. he
said, no stranger had ever been admitted to their
mysterious orders and sacred temples. Mr.. CuSh-
Ing gave very Interesting account OF his life with
them, and the way In which he had gradually
gained their confidence and love. At first he was
WseSed Wh Doe ana and was asetc6
made his way to their hearts by making presents
TO their children. The names given him from time
10 tine during his stay, the first denoting suspi-
cion and ridicule, indicated the gradual progress
he made into their full confidence.
ADOPTED INTO THE TRIBE.
He was at first adopted by the high priest as his
son. Still the members of the tribe eyed him sus-
picfously, and resisted his Investigations He had
taken sketches OF many OF the minor dances and
ceremonias, and 80 offended many members of the
tribe that It was resolved to intimdate him. So
grand war dance was arranged, which was the
most magnificent ceremony he had at the time
rushed towards Mr. Cushing with their clubs, Civ
Ing him an intimltion for the first time that he
was the object OF the warlike attentions he had
witnessed. Mr. cushing, taking knife which
ne carried in his SSetch-book into his hand,
iald IL at his feet, ana laughed The warriors
heSltated, then rushed back. shouted "ke-hay, and
disappeared They soon returned, dragging with
them large yellow dog, which was slain, one OF
the warriors extracting the heart and liver, and
proceeding to eat it, The meaning OF this was
that they had discovered that Mr.. Cushing was
SplElluD from tlaJ Time MS
progress towards full communion with members
or the tribe was steady. He resisted the PROPOSE
ton to have his ears pierced for months, but
nnaily yielded. Having gained some acquaint-
ance with the language, he asked to have the ira
0itionS OF the tribe told to him.
THE HOMER OF THE ZUNIs.
council was held In his ROOM and an old blind
white-haired man, whom he had seen wandering
about the pueblo, was led In This old mana sort
or Zuni Homer-then began a recital, rhythmical
and metrical In proportions, which composed the
Genesis of the order. 1t could not all be sung in
one night The arrangement OF this epic was in
books, chapters and paragraphs 1t convinced Mr..
CuShlng that he must devote years to the Zuni
Indians. In the course OF eight or nine month she
was able TO speak their language with tolerable
nuency He then investigated their esoteric orders,
OF which there are ID, one, however, the highest
OF all
THE ORDER OF THE BOW
being more strictly esoterfc than the others Mr..
Cushing aimed to become a member OF the Order
OF the Bow, and after securing an Apache scalp
sacred mysteries of the Order-he was at last admit
Ted, having first been adopted into the Clan Of the
Parrot the most aristOcratc OF the families or clans
were carried on with great solemnty, lasted many
account of the social divisions among
the interesting people with whom he proposes yet
70 spend some years OF his life. In reply to queS
tons he said their views of the future life are very
believe that their people are nearer God than any
other people. When one of them was taken upon
locomotive by Mr.. Cushing, he said: "YOur
people are Gods, only they have to eat" Mr..
Gushing has been elevated to the rank Of war
chieftain by his adopted brethren.