Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-07-23
The NAVAJO INDIANS.
Habits and Customs of Remarkah
Tribe of Red Men.

Habits and Customs of Remarkable
Tribe OF Red Men.
The discussion in Congress recently
regarding the disposition of the Navajo
Indians has attracted attention to this
tribe anew. Inhabitants of their pres
ent location for centuries and antedat-
ing in their traditions the most remote
records of the white man on this CONT
nent they are in many respects the
most remarkable tribe with which the
Government has to deal.
They differ in appearance from the
typical, dirty redskins of the plains.
They are tall and well-formed. having
clear, olive-broWn complexion, and
are lacking in the other prominent feat
ures of the American Indian. Their
bearing is as easy and graceful as that
OF European. and they dress with COM
fort. The women wear a skirt that
comes nearly to the knees, and shaw
thrown over the shoulders in the Mex
lean fashion. The men don long frock
made of bright material and wear buck
skin knee pants and wooden stockings.
Their costume is exceedingly easy
and mfortable, and as the most brill
WINS d
group of the people is decidedly strik-
ing. The women have all their white
sisters love of finery, and feathers dip
ped in the strong dyes manufactured by
them ornament their heads and shawls.
The men have helmet-shaped cap
that is likewise ornamented, and gives
them, at little distance, the appear
ance of being typical stage warriors.
The old Abrahamic government is
their tribal form of management. The
wealthiest men are the chiefs or lead
erS, and each has a set of retainers
resembling the servitors of the feudal
lords of Scotland. The chiefs consult
at stated periods and decide what shall
be done with the possessions of the
tribe. 1t is estimated that they have
on their ranges nearly 3, 000 900 sheep
and 20, 900 horses, besides large herds
of cattle. AS the tribe consists of
less than 10000 members the wealth
is quite respectable. 1t is con-
stantly being added to by their sales of
ornamental articles manufactured by
them. They make all their own cloth
ing on looms invented and constructed
by themselves, and are also the manu-
facturers of their brides, saddles,
spears, etc. They are not rapid work
men, and as their roaming life in rude
lodges made of poles and grass is not
conducive to the preservation of their
property, not much time remains for
manufacturing any thing but blankets
for outside sale.
Woman holds an exalted place in their
estimation, which fact alone would mark
them as peculiar race among the In
dians of America. They believe that
woman places the sun in the heavens
each morning, while the stars are sprin-
killed. upon the great blanket of the sky
by woman's hand. In strange vari-
ance with this idea is the one that the
moon is carried through the air on the
back of mule, the ears of which their
medicine men pretend to be able to dis
Germ.
Those who have witnessed some of
their ceremonies declare them to be ex-
ceedingly interesting. That of moving
the camp is one most religiously OBJ
served. The medicine man takes from
the chief campfire burning brand,
which is carried ahead of the company
until another camp is reached. Should
the brand be extinguisheds return is
made to the original camp, where they
remain until the following day. When
long move is to be made the medicine
men have wick saturated with oil and
hidden in the brand, thus preserving
the fire. In marriage the woman is, so
to speak, the best man. The bride and
groom sit on opposite sides of water
proof basket filled with food, of which
they partake in the presence of their
friends. BY this act they are made man
and wife, the woman taking her husband
to her home. The marriage relation is
not very strictly observed, but only one
legal husband or wife can be had-St.
! Louis Post-DiSpatch.