The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-05-24
Lo, the Poor Red Man.

Los Angles, May 6.-The Pueblo In
dians inaugurate their rabbit hunts with
sacred dance and the planting of pray.
er plumes. The first rabbit hunt of the
season is after the first full moon in May,
and it takes place under the direction OF
the medicine man Of the village. The
others are under the direction of those in
successive rank.
On the afternoon before the morning
of the hunt prayer plumes are planted
on the route of the hunt. These prayers
are small whitfield sticks notched at one
end, with tuft of feathers bound at the
top, planted at intervals of about 30 feet.
The pretty pldmes almost conceal the
stick from view, giving it the appearance
of waving plant. Only feathers Of 8
bright plumage, mainly the PARROT and
peacock, are Used. Black feathers, as
those of the raven, are never used and
would give the hunter bad luck. With
out feathers for these prayers there
would be no rabbit hunt. Bundles of
prayer plumes inclosed in corn husks are
deposited in the several ahrines Of the
village.
The shrine near the gate of the Pueblo
village is stone structure about 8 feet
in height, with two chambers. The top
is covered with fiat stone, and of course
the shrine faces toward the rising sun.
It is surrounded by the skulls and bones
of animals which had been thrown there
the preceding year as an Offering.
Each Indian hunter wears around his
neck fet;sh, or ''luck CHARM" carved
from stone in the shape of the animal ne
is to hunt. This is supposed to not only
give him luck, but also the craft and
cunning of the animal he is after.
His only weapon is one very much like
the Australian boomerang.
About suudown on the night before
the rabbit hunt the town crier goes
through the crooked streets of the village
announcing in high O that the rabbit
hunt will take place next day at sunrise; /;
also that the preliminary rabbit hunt
dance will be held on that evening at the
house Of the chief medicine man.
The singing during the so called dance
ia supposed to so charm the rabbits that
they cannot hear the approach of the
hunters, but should any be within hear
ing distance it would no doubt have q
contrary effect. During this semi 'reli-
gious ceremonial all smoke the sacred"
cigarette, which is rolled in corn husks.
This is supposed to blind the bright red
eyes of the watchful rabbit.
About dark a fire is built near where
the dance is to be held. 1t is lighted by
sacred fire which is emitted by rubbing
two sticks together; otherwise the medi-
cine man, who is also lamplighter,
would be considered as bringing curse
upon the village. The Indians believe
that the lightning rests in the trees, and
that when the sacred FIRE is wanted it can
only be had by rubbing two sticks
together. The dapcers form in line, fac.
ing the west. The priest is at the head
of the line. He first sprinkles the floor
with sacred cornmeal. The line is in the
shape of a crescent, opening to the east.
He gives the word, and all promenade.
An old woman, who does not dance,
stands near the priest and from a basket
ornamented with peacock feathers
sprinkles cornmeal upon the dancers as
they pass.
The chanting is even more monoto-
nous. The musical instruments are con-
cave gourds, over the opening of which q
notched stick is drawn. At the height
of the festivities the noise Is the most e1-
cruciating imaginable. Finally there is
alull, and the commedian gets into the
middle of the room and initiates the
| jumping of rabbit. The dancers wear
only girdles around their loins.
The upper part of the body is painted
deep red, one leg yellow, the other
white, and the arms are similarly paint
ed. The dance lasts til midnight. Next
morning the hunters assemble, and led
by the medicine man there is race to
the place for the meeting hunt. Each
rider carries several boomeraDgs tied to
his saddle by buckskin thongs, Over
the broad mesas they charge, hurting
with unerring aim and terrible force
their strange missiles at the fleeing rab'
bits.
About sundown the days hunt is end.
ed, and the Indian hunters return to the
pueblo with their game dangling from
their saddles. At nightfall fires are seen
on the plain at the base of the foothills,
and the chanting of women is heard.
They have gathered to welcome their
husbands and fathers, and all return to
the pueblo together, singing the song OF
the rabbit hunt. They assemble in front
of the house of the cazique, the chief
official of the village, and serenade him
with the song they have just chanted.
The hunter who kills rabbit eats it's
head, as it is supposed to give him power
to kill others. The head is also sprinkled
with cornmeal. The rabbit is roasted in
adobe ovens or stewed whole in earthen
jars with cornmesl. They are never
fried. Why is known only to them
selves. J. M. SCANLAND.
H0W'S This