The Hazlehurst signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1883-1885, 1885-10-29
A M0QUI SNAKE DANCE.
Description OF n Most Curious
Biennial Custom.

Biennial Custom.
II was not simply to see the MoQui
villages, quaint and curious though
they are, that had tempted me so far
away from the rai,waN but to witness
the snake dane which the people give
once in every Two years, and which is
undoubtedly one of the most interest
Ing fc,cs now held by any barbarous
people. Leaving the road ut Navajo
SPRING, drove for hundred miles
through the Navajo Indian Rescrya-
ton. sleeping now in the open air
rolled up in u blanket, and again at the
home of kindly-liSpoScd friends who
live in the country. We came, early
in the morning. within sight Of the
Moqui mcsas, rising high into view
above tie plains that interviewed be-
tween them and us. Gradually draw
ing nearer the villages, toward which
mounted NavaioS Were riding at full
gallop, we campcd at last in the
shadow of grove of peach trees
growing almost within the shadow of
the rocky blum. From here our way
led on foot up narrow winding trail
to the height above. Every moment,
aS we advanced. the prospect
bruadcnci, and on the way
wcrc passed oddly-drcsscd natives
sitting like statues ON the ovcrhang,ng
hedges Gaining the mcsa'Stop at last,
We passed at once into the confines Of
the towns where narrow crooked streets
led about the Guaintly fashioned houses.
Early in the day of the dance though il
was, there still were signs OF active
preparation in the place. Women were
busy baking bread. men were mcnding
moccaSinS and painting their faces;
maidcnS sat in open doorwayS having
their long black hair rolled into proper
forms. while in the streets We're gath
cred an array Of hOr,cmcn. strangers
from thr near puebloS, who had been
attracted hy The singular celebration.
Dur.ng the day we climbed over the
Crcaking ladders at our will. hut when
the sun, big and rcd. began to near its
western rcSting-place, we gathered,
with the Indians. ON the housctops
overlooking the little square in which
the dance was To be- held. In the CEN
ter Of the limited space rose tall,
tlmc-worn rock. and near it was the
edge of the mesa. hardly dozen yards
away from the houses upon which the
people had gathered. To the right Of
the stone pillar stood bower made of
cottonwood boughs, within which, soon
after the crowd had assembled. the
snakes, confined in bags, were placed.
What particular significance the snake
dance has ] do not know. Some de-
clare il Il prayer for rain, Others say it
is Il thanksgiving for past blessings
The truth OF the matter probably is,
that the ceremony is performed by
members Of an order similar to that Of
the Odd Fellows or MaSons. and has
nothing to do either with prayers or
thanks There are nearly sevcnty-iive
dancers engaged altogether. and over
q hundred snakes Of every variety are
handled. The reptiles arc caught dur
inc the four days preceding the fctc,
and until the appointed day are con-
fined in the c>tufas or council chambers
of the Moquis, deep, wcll-likc caves.
entered through small traps that have
been cxcavated beneath the surface of
the ground. Those conversant with the
facts declare that the fangs of the SER
pcnt are not removed, and that the
performers are often severely bitten.
That they do not suffer materially from
such decorations is due to the fact that
they paint themselves with certain
preparation which prevents the poison
from taking effect. The dance is cerc-
mony which has been practiccd for cent
urieS. The snakes are handlei with
great impunity. and are even held be-
tween the teeth of the performers. Atthc
conclusion of the dance the snakes arr
deposited in the valley and given their
freedom. the dancers returning. hot and
weary. to their estufas. where for an
other four days they indulge in the OBJ
scrvanco of certain forms known only
TO themselves.
The first TO enter upon the dance
were II party of men and boys, fifteen
in all, who marched In single file four
times around the pillar of stone. Naked
above the hips, and painted deep cop
per color. they wore tunics of reddish
clcth, and carried in one hand rattl,
mado from gourd, and in the