Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-12
MAKING AN INDIAN BLANKET.
Wa.Wah. the Zuni PrieSfess, at Work
I'm the National Museum,

An Indian woman, crouching before q rude
loom, formed the center figure OF the picture
that met the eyes of STAR reporter when he
ciimbed, the other day, up the winding stairs to
one of the galleries of the National museum
1t was the Zuni maiden, Wa-Wah a priestess
and person OF Importance among her own
people. The loom was of real Zuni manufac
ture-a frame of rods, suspended by cords from
"a frame above. Wa-Wah sat- or crOuched, cross
legged, or tailor fashion, one of her bare feet
showing out from under her robe or blanket
The loom, the spindle on which she twisted hel
yarn, and the long reeds, or sticks, upon which
her yarn, or wOrsted, was wound, and the long
nat slave, or "beater," which she thrust now
and then through the strands in the loom, were
all specimens OF Zuni handwOrk taken from
the corrections of the museum. Wa-Wah
came there To weave blanket on the loom and
explain the use of the implements. She worked
on silently, patiently in the stolid Indian way,
apparently not noticing the spectators thai
camera which was leveled at her. The loom
with the blanket upon it will be placed in a
case IN the museum, together with photographs
OF Wa-Wah at work upon it, which will illus
traie the mode OF weaving employed by the
Lunls. Folks who have formed poetic ideals OF
Indian maidens, after the pattern OF Pocahon.
t;tS or Mlnnenaha, might be disappointed in
Wa-Wa an on first sight. Her features, and es
peclally her mouth, are rather large; her figure
aud carriage rather masculine; her coarse black
halr Is gathered together behind, and dubbed
or bound in one thick braid tied with a bit OF
red flannel. She wears calico dress or wrap
per and over this a dark-colored blanket fast.
ened about her ample waist with a red girdle
Wa-Wah, who speaks little English, and
whose manner is very gentle, said that it took
her SIX days TO weave the blanket she wears
Then she indicated by spreading open the fingers
OF her hand that she made n hands breadth from
the top OF the Outstretched little finger to the
top OF the thumb each day. This daily task
was no light one, for Wa-Wah's hand is by nc
means small. Then after the STAT reporter had
watched her awhile, Wa-Wah concluded that
hlf dnxr rip
ing from the mat on which she had been sitting
she proceeded to array herself for the street
ms was Done oy throwing over her head a
necklace or string of huge silver beads, orna
mented with various devices in the shape OF
crosses and half-moons. Wa-Wah seemed
made by zuni A man "T Then saw Wa !. W Wan
sat on a little box and put on
her shoes and stockings or what correspondent
pair of soft slippers or moccasins. Then she
produced a soft elk-skin, which looked like
chamois-sk,n, and began winding it around the
ankle and calf OF one leg, and kept
winding it around and around unit
the covering extended from the mecca
sin nearly to the knee, and there were
| several thicknesses of it, giving to the limb a
dropsical appearance not Justified by the real
facts of the case. Then she took narrow strip
Logging on with it, The other limb was swathed
in the same way, and then Wa-Wah was ready
to go. She strobe out with masculine stride
passed down the steps and out through the
museum. Wa-Wah is a guest at Mrs. Col. Ste
venson's house. She was brought to this city by
Mrs. Stevenson last 1all, when that lady
returned to Washington from ZCniland
Wa-Wah is well versed in all the mysteries OF
the Zuni religion and the customs OF her people
and Mrs. Stevenson has obtained from hel
much valuable Information. Wa-Wah is now
anxious to return home and tell her people al
that she has seen in the wonderful east. She
thinks the people of this city are very rich be-
cause they have nothing to do but make and
receive calls. Some time ago she called upon
some friends who live in the Portland flats
A harC
part OF house. She took much interest in the
model of the town of Zuni at the National Mu
scum and gave testimony to its accuracy by
pointing out her own house. Wa-Wah will &C
back TO her home when some one, who can act
as her escort, is going her way.