The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-06
The Ava-SupiS Who Live
atBOtlOm of DeepCanOn.
Once Great But We're Nearly
Destroyed by Earthquake.
Remnant Found Themselves In
Canon and Have Stayed There.


young men connected with the ethnolog-
ical bureau of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion, have come into Los Angeles after
life of few weeks among the Ava-Supi
Indians in the extreme northeast part of
Arizona Territory. They were there
after having spent several months in the
Navajo and Moqui countries, and their
purpose was to observe the life of the
Supis and get their tribal legends
and whatever of history they have. "We
are so glad we went up to soc the Ava.
Supis " said Professor Horace yelling Of
the party, while speaking Of these
Indians, while in Pomona the other day.
"They are by long odds the most interest
ing sayages we have in the union, out
side of the Xunis, from an chronological
point of view. We were told that we were
the first whites (outside of two or three
cowboys) that had been in the Ava-Supi
locality in several years. AS soon as
they believed in us-fOr the average
Indian of the territories nowadays agrees
with the ancient psalmlst in saving in
his heart that all men are liars-they were
the most genial and hospitable red men
we have ever been among and that Is
saying n good deal too. If any young
American of means and taste for studying
Indian habits and observing human
nature as IL was among the savages In the
days of CorteZ and Coronado, he Will find
enough TO not only interest, but fascinate
him, among the Ava-iSupis for a long
summer. I'm their tribal customs the
Ava-S -Supis have changed less by contact
with civilization than any tribe in the
union. l don't believe their language has
altered bit In the last two centuries
Yes. you may be sure we shall go there
again. when we shall be better prepared
TO study our hosts. -
The home Of the -Ava-Supi tribe is be-
tween the deep defiles of Cataract Can.
yon tributary Of the Little Colorado
river. which has its rise in the Bill VIII
liams mountains. The narrow valley is
from 100 to 800 yards wide, with walls OF
sandstone and granite rising perpendicu-
larly on either side to sheer height OF
2 600 to 4, 600 feet. The approach is by
narrow, twisting, tortuous trail which
rtesccnds from the broad plateau above
winding in and out beneath the towering
walls and precipices. In some places it is
SO narrow that single person with
burden finds il difficult 10 avoid pitching
into the depths below No tribe in the
country occupies such an inaccessible
locality as home. White men never go
there unless on science bent.
Through the center of the little valley
flows cold, clear stream, fed by noun
tain SHOWS of the distant Bill Williams
peak. The current is rapid and the power
Is utilized in crude way for grinding
the grain, which is one of the principal
crops of this Arcadian people. At the
lower end of the stream the water is di-
verted into acequias, which carry IL TO
the fertile fields. Irrigation is necessary
for all crops, as tho rain clouds seldom
pour their contents into the hidden val
ley and the snow never falls. The soil
is rich, black loan, debris left by over
flows of an adjacent Colorado in untold
seasons. Ii produces in addition TO war;
ious kinds OF grain, peaches, grapes,
mesquite beans and species of guava.
The Ava-Supis have no extensive fiocks,
neither herds of cattle Eor horses like
many of their prosperous neighbors above,
for all their available land is required in
agricultural pursuits, but profitable
trade Is carried on with the Moquis
Iunis and Navajos fruits and meal being
exchanged for dried meats and coarse
cloths. The tribe at the prese mt time
numbers about 800. They are carefully
observant Of law and order as prescribed
by the authorities of the pueblo, and are
courteous and hospitable TO outsiders.
Down in this sylvan retreat the climate is
delightful Neither the extreme heat of
summer nor the severity of winter is felt.
While the chill winds arc raging over
head this sequestered glen is all abloom
with flowers and green and waving grass
Iue AVA
with the exception OF the head chief, tn
whom is granted special dispensaton
permitting him To take as many wives as
he can secure and support. Failure TO pro-
vide justiiles wife in securing divorce,
which is done iii the simplest possible
manner by leaving the lodge Of her hus-
band and refusing thereafter TO recognize
him in any manner. Should there be
man at the bottom of the domestic row,
the chief has then the satisfaction of
arraigning him before the council and
10 Is the duty OF that august body TO assess
the damages The amount is usually based
upon the ability of the defendant To pay
and when "a sum has been fixed upon il
must be instantly liGuidated, or the death
penalty Is the alternative. This rigid JUS
ticc Is supposed To exercise "A beneficial
restraint upon the hotbloods Of the Ava
Supis. The government of this primitive
congregation Is in the hands of "A chief.
who is elected by popular vote. The office
is not .heroGitary, and IL Is seldom that
u son succeeds the father. The disposi-
tion seems TO favor in passing the honors
around, ana thus maintaining pure DEM
ocracy.
Thorc is rather interesting tradition
which tho Ava-Supis tell concerning
themselves In the early days, ages and
ages ago, the legend runs, their forefathcrs
dwelt In great walled city on the mesas
above. TiXy were contented and pros
porous pcdTc, cutivatng vast fields and
raising enormous herds of stock In
the course oi time, exalted by power and
riches they became aggressive and domi.
ncoring toward their weaker neighbors.
For weeks nc "a time they would neglect
their fields and herds while they rnidcd
some nearby tribe. The Great Spirit whom
they had always worshipcd grew angry at
them, for he was the father of all the
tribes alike, and resolved 10 send some
terrible visitation that they might know
the strength of his hand. liz came at
MONDAY, when all the men and women
were i'm the fields Suddenly out of "A
clear sky a bright light burst
and u great wind, followed hy a trnm.
hllnr ~ Tho Nrhnln nnrth lhn lrlchtnnnL