Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-09-26
AMONG THE zUNis.

How Prof Cushing Avoided Nfatri-
mony by Catering TO super
stition.
AT a recent meeting Of the San Francisco
Academy OF Sciences President Hardness in
'roduced Prof Frank Cushing, OF Washington,
distinguished ethnologist, who 10 travelling
under the auspices Of the Smithsonian instI-
tuition. Gushing called attention to q new
aspect OF ethnology, which he considered com.
posed Of ethnology and archaeology. He con-
sidered the science peculiarly adapted to
success In California, and compared It to our
Marlposa big trees, which are superior TO all
other trees; SO Is this science superior to all
other sciences, because 1t is conducive to the
greatest good to the greatest number.
Referring to an expedition among the
Pueblo Indians In New Mexico, under Prof.
Baird In 1878, which he accompanied, he had
then investigated the habits Of the Zuni or in
their own language A-shi.w tribe. He had
only gained his knowledge OF their habits and
customs by adopting their dress and mode OF
life, even becoming a member of the priest
hood Of the bow. For example, he discovered
that scalp-taking was consequence Of be-
lief that whatever 10 over or above commands
what Is under, and 1t Is an endcavor to make
bis enemy his friend that the Zuni takes his
scalp. They also hold that there are three
forms OF life, two eternal-brotherhood and
eurnitY-and one transitory--viz.. friendship.
Ir speaking of his visit to Washington, In
accompanied by FIVE Zuni priests, he said:
you may remember that In the spring OF
1882 Visited the Atlantic coast with five Zunl
priests, and you may remember that 1t was
aREp0 Mt the m hnw I'M h,o,
gerry there was In 1t. l will tell you. had
lived among those people until they loved me
. great deal better, alas, than my own people
To get firm hold on me and make me COM
pletely one OF themselves they tried to get me
to marry one Of the Zun girls. i did not
want TO marry any Of the girls, and did not
want to leave their country, where my re.
searches were not half accomplished; so the
old chief placed me on the horns Of the
dilemma when he pointed to the pathway be-
tween the hills and told me to take that or
marry the girl. just then u thought struck
me, and saw a slim chance Of getting out of
the difficulty. The Zuni have a tradition
that whoever beheld the Ocean Of Sunrise and
laved In Its waters would be entitled to seat
among the gods wanted to go east for a
short trip and ! offered to take five of the
chiefs with me and show them the Ocean OF
Sunrise, All matrimonial thoughts were cast
to the wind, and the absorbing question be-
came who should accompany me. Five of the
must ulsttuSuisucu Chiefs were CHOSEN anu we
started on our journey for the Ocean of Sum
rise. On arriving at the Atlantic they per-
formed oil the rites and ceremonies incidental
TO beholding the mother who encircles the
earth, and although thousands of the most
cultivated Bostonians witnessed them, there
was not one but what said they were most
Imposing. VIII tell you another reason why
the Zunl were so anxious to reach the Ocean
Of Sunrise. They said If we can only procure
some OF the water and take 1t to our dry and
desert land, 1t will become fruitful and
blossom like the rose; for they reasoned that
. mother, after the birth OF her child, retains
an unbroken connection with 1t. She Is always
In communication with II. So with the water
Of the Ocean Of Sunrise; II we can only bring
some Of II TO our own land, she will not forget
her own and will travel to it. The waters of
the great lakes would not 90 because that was
fresh. They must have salt water for salt
calls the water"
Prof. Gushing concluded his interesting
lecture by saying that he was returning to the
Zun tribe to continue his researches, and on
bis return he hoped he would be allowed the
honor OF again addressing them. On motion,
vote Of thanks was passed to Prof. Gushing
Tor his admirable address.