The Columbus journal., 1893-06-21
A Strange Tribe in Arizona.

In the Indian village or 'city" of
Wolpai in northwestern Arizona there
exists and has existed for centuries q
condition of civilization which is neither
socially nor morally much inferior to
that possessed by the American people
today, with whom the members Of this
tribe have had but little communication,
says a writer in the New York Adver-
tiser. 1t is particularly among the VOL
pal women that the degree of civiliza-
ton seems to be most remarkable. OF
course they have strange customs, which
are utterly at variance with the Chris
tian mode of living, but believe that
following brief account of the life of
Wolpai woman will not only be interest
ing, but it will prove that, uncivilized as
they and all the North American Indians
are supposed to be, the women Of this
tribe are not measurably far behind our
American housewives in industry, do
mestic tact and ability or in morals.
When the child is born she is prayed
over, after the custom Of the tribe, and
then strangely superstitious ceremony
is gone through-vis., the baby is rubbed
in wood ashes ''in order that her bones
may not become loose" Until she is 10
years old she lives life of perfect child
hood, romping, climbing. playing with
innumerable toys, and doing everything
that q civilized child would like to do,
but dare not. As result, the little
Wolpai maiden of ten years old is well
knit and robust, and has set up natural
foundation of health with which to begin
her life of usefulness. At this age she
dresses like her elder sisters, and is at
once led into the secrets OF the kitchen
and instructed in the manufacture of
baskets, pottery and other useful wares,
and before sho is Is she is skilled in
carding and dyeing wool and in weaving
blankets, petticoats and other garments.
DIR. Shufelst says that 'in the number of
stews, ragouts and broths' which
Wolpai maiden can make, ''or in the
endless variety of honiny, mush, pop
corn and plki bread, she will hold her
own with the most ingenious American
housewife"
But the most peculiar thing about
these women is the fashion in which they
wear their hair. 1t is arranged on both
sides of their head, like the horns of a
mountain sheep, in two enormous
whorls. This is accomplished by wind
ing the hair around some pliable switches
of willow, and has most curious effect.
Considerable care is taken in the prep
aration of this part of the toilet, and it
is in strange contradistinction to the
customs of the Apaches, Utes and Nava-
10 Indians, whose hair hangs in un-
kempt, loose masses. After marriage
the Walpai maidens cease to wear their
hair in whOrls. 1t is then parted in the
middle and tied in kind of queue, after
the same style as the men. The girls of
this tribe choose their own husbands.
In the household, where everything is
clean as new pin, the wife reigns su-
preme, and daughters inherit their moth
er's property. The pottery, ornamental
basket work and woven material of this
tribe are of peculiar excellence, and
would no doubt fetch high figures in
competition with many of the CONNER
cial products of our stores. But in the
matter of buying and selling the same
custom that is observed by the Zulas
holds here-viz, no purchase can be
made indoors unless by the consent of
the wife.