The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-05
STRANGE TRIBE IN ARIZONA.
The Wolpai Indians, Where the Wo-
men Rule the Home.
From the New York Advertiser.


From the New York Advertiser.
In the Indian village or "city" of VOL
pal in Northwestern Arizona there exists
and has existed for centuries a condition
Of civilization which is neither socially nor
morally much inferior to that possessed by
the American people of to-day with whom
the members of this tribe have had
but little Communication. 1t is particu-
larly among the WOlpai women that the
degree of civilization seems to be most re-
markable. OF course they have strange
customs, which are utterly at variance
with the Christian mode of living, but |
believe that the following brief account
of the life of a WOlpai woman
will not only be interesting, but it
will prove that, uncivilized as they
and all the North American In
dians are supposed to be, the women of
this tribe are not measurably far behind
our American housewives in industry,
domestic tact and ability or in morals
When the child is born she is prayed over,
after the custom of the tribe, and then a
strangely superstitious ceremony is gone
throughput, the baby is rubbed with
wood ashes lin order that her bones may
not become loose" Until she is
10 years old she lives life
of perfect childhood, romping, climb
and doing everything that a civilized child
would like to do, but dare not. AS a re-
suit the little Wolpai maiden of ten years
old is well knit and robust and has set up
a natural foundation of health with
which to begin her life of useful
ness. At this age she dresses like
her elder sisters and is at once led
into the secrets of the kitchen aud in
structed in the manufacture of baskets
nOffpfsV and other nCaf1l nd no
fore she is Is she is skilled in carding
and dyeing and in weaving blankets, pet
ticOats and other garments. DIR. Shu-
felSt says that Gin the number of stews,
ragouts and broths' which a Wolpai
maiden can make, cor in the endless
variety of hominy, mush, popcorn and
piki bread, she will hold her own with
the most ingenious American house
wife"
But the most peculiar thing about these
women is the fashion in which they wear
their hair. II is arranged on both sides
of the head, like the horns of a mountain
sheep, in two enormous whorls. This is
accomplished by winding the hair around
some pliable switches of willow and has
has most curious effect Considerable
care is taken in the preparation of this
part of the toilet and it is in strange
contradistinction to the customs of
the Apaches, Utes and Navajo
Indians, whose hair hangs in unkempt,
loose masses. After marriage the Wolpai
maidens cease to wear their hair in whorls.
1t is then parted in the middle and tied in
a 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 supreme, and dau Oh
tiers inherit their mothers 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 commercial products of our
stores But in the matter of buying and
selling the same custom that is observed
by the Zunis holds here-viz., no purchase
can he made indoors unless by. the CON
sent of the wife.