The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-07

Windows) as they are used for storage
OF grain, etc. When the ladder was
drawn up the occupants were very Sc
cure from their enemies.
MoQUI BREADMAKING.
That we may learn of the daily life
OF this curious people we pass from door
to door, always respectfully. We are
always welcome. We sit down with
them, give the children triles to please
them. explaining that We come to learn
their way of living. They laugh AID
seem Pleased to show us freely. Each
family occupies two or more rooms. IN
which We examined all their industries
First we notice as most important the
metates or mealing stones. These are
about twelve by eighteen inches, set in
cement, with a stone curbing. Upon
these the grain is all ground by the
women by hand for family use with a
smaller stone. In one corner is smell
fireplace and chimney, its top being
formed by an ola or jar with the bot
tom broken out. Near the fireplace is
a Hat stone two inches in thickness,
eighteen to twenty inches square,
raised ten inches above the floor. I'm
der this Il fire is built The cook seat
ed. near dips her hand into the batter
and quickly spreads Il coating of II en-
tirely and evenly over the hot stone
ed. the bread is cooked and rises loose
I ly from the stone. She lifts 1t by the
corners and places II on the floor until
sufficient is baked. As it is wanto Il the
several sheets are folded or rolled to-
sether forming roll about ten inches
long and one inch in diameter. In this
form il. will keep indefinitely and Is
convenient for use. 1t is sweet. crisp.
and palatable. eaten dry or dipped n
conee or syrup. 1t is not salted and is
simply unleavened bread. While seat
ed on block of wood a woman laid on
the floor before me a roll of this bread
tcalled by Indians. pike and bowl of
| syrup. Recognizing this act OF hospi-
tally | ate and found it very whole
some.
Com prepared in various ways forms
large part of their diet. They also
raise corn. beans, squashes and melons.
Large focks of sheep and goats furnish
plenty of meat, fire. h or dried. From the
roof hangs the loom in which the blank
cts are woven. The loom is supported
and spread upon a stick oft times five
to six feet long and two to three inches
in diameter. Near by, under the raft
ers. may be found the spindles, with
which they spin wool into yarn, and il
is surprising to see how dexterously
they are able to do this. The drill with
which they perforate beads of stone and
shell; their bows and arrows, in fact,
most of the small articles which they
prize. saw, tucked into the crevices
about the timbers which form and sup
port the roof. In a corner discovered
three stone images or fetiches, which
belong to their religious ceremonies.
These l could not buy at any price.
They use hideous ngures, formed In
wood and clay, decorated with paint
and feathers. called cachinas. These
| represent some of their gods, or such as
have been gods.
INDIAN BAKING POTTERY.
Passing on we find a woman seated
on the ground making pottery. She has
| previously pulveriZed in a mortar q
| soft stone. Adding water she has a
fine clay She kneeds this to proper
consistency. places ball of it upon
smooth fiat stone, and, dipping her fin
| ger INTO water, she presses and rubs
the ball of clay into saucer shane.
This Is to be the bottom of the vessel
to be made. She now takes in her
fingers small, smooth stone, and by
rubbing and pressing the sides Of the
| saucer, she raises the rim, and quickly
forms the body of the water bottle.
She often dips the stone in water. en-
abling her to make the surface Of the
| '>@SNi siiooth, SIt IuDS IL 10
required shape and thickness. BY
pressing and carefully smoothing she
reduces the size of the top, and forms
a narrow neck, if desired. Thus by
skillful handling, the result of long
practice, she forms symmetrical ves-
sci. She now sets 1t away in tire shade
to dry. When properly dried she or
naments 1t with natures mineral coll
ors, using brush prepared by chew
ing stem Of the Yucca. 1t Is now
ready to be baked. This is done in the
open air by piling fuel over the vessels
and firing them to nearly a white heat,
when the Goals are gradually removed
and the vessel Is complete. The water
bottle Is perhaps the most important
vessel made here, for all the water used
In these three villages except a little
rain water, Is. brought in these bottles
from spring one and one.half miles
away, at the foot Of the mesa The
bottles vary in size from one quart to
three gallons, are spherical in form,
with short neck and small opening,
with two lugs on the side, through
which strap or thong is secured.
The bottle is slung onto the back, and
the strap across the forehead, sustain
Ing the load corresponding to the man
ner in which the aquadOres or water
carriers of the City Of Mexico deliver
water about the city. The Moquis are
quite expert in making pottery. The
Navajos excel in blanket and
they exchange products.
1 saw no basket-making except the
flat. open basket, or placque, peculiar
to this people. the ornamentation of
which in figures and colors Is striking
ly beautiful. These are made from six
inches to two feet in diameter, and are
used for common purposes about their
houses.
FASHION IN HAIRDRESSING
The men generally dress in citizens
dress purchased from the trader. The
women usually wear blankets of their
own manufacture secured by girdle
about the waist, second blanket over
the shoulders, with moccasins and leg
gings of buckskin. The young women
dress their long black hair with grea,
care and neatness, forming great puffs
Or wheels on each side of the head, In
shape resembling large toadstool
, This form typifies the open squash
blossom the Moqui symbol of maiden.
hood. Married women wear the hail
in rolls, which represent the faded
squash blossom. Their hair brushes
are simply bunches of fine reeds. abou,
twelve inches long, tied in bundle
about the size OF the wrist. They an.
swer the purpose equally well fol
sweeping flour in the grinding bins o,
dressing my laly's hair. An unusua
activity pervades the village as visitor.
from the neighboring tribes arrive Il
attend the snake dance of the morrow
Dancing among the various Indian
tribes is not only Il favortc amusement
, but part of their important religious
= ceremonies, and when conducted a:
the prayer of a people to their Create
rightfully commands the respect o
Christians. To the casual observer ac
= custOmed to the music. dress. style ant
surroundings OF the dances of civiliza
tion, the Indian dance is meaningless
. and repulsive. The ATTEMPT at musi
TO us is worse than failure. 1t con
| siGi of lisnnIlnfl1 ID, Il l.,