The times., 1897-05-23
SOME VERY QUEER INDIANS
The Ava-Supis, Who Live in a
Deep Canyon.
ARE A TRIBE OF HERMITs
They We're Once a Great Tribe. But
Almost All Were Destroyed by an
Earthquake-The Remnant Found
Themselves in the Canyon and
Have Stayed There Ever Since.

LOS Angeles, Cal, May 16 Several
young men connected with the ethnologi-
cal bureau Of the Smithsonian Institution
nave come into Los Angeles after life of
few weeks among the Ava-supi Inlians
IN The extreme northeast part of Arizona
Territory. They were there after havIr-g
spent several months in the Navajo and
Moqul countries, and their purpose was to
observe the life of the Ava-Su upis and get
their tribal legends and whatever of his
tory they have.
I'VE are so glad we went up to see the
Ava-Supis," said Prof. Horace yelling, of
The party, wniie speaking OF these Indians
while in Pomona the other day They are
by long odds the most interesting savages
we have in the Union, outside of the Zunis,
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 nova
DAYS agrees with the ancient Psaimist in
saying in his heart that all men are liars
they were the most genial and hospita5le
red men we have ever been among, and
thatis saying good deal. too. Ifany 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 will visit them,
he will find enough To not only interest
but fascinate him among the Ava-Supis for
long summer. In their tribal customs the
Aya-Supis have changed less by contact
with c1viiization than any tribe in the Union.
1 don believe their language has altered
bit | u 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 Canyon,
tributary OF the little Colorado River,
which has its rise ia the Bill Williams Noun
tains. The narrow valley is from 100 To
500 yards wide, with walls OF sandstone
and granite rising perpendicularly on either
side TO a sheer height of 1000 to 1000
feet. The approach is by narrow, twist
ing, tortuous trail. which descends from
the broad plateau above, winding in ana
out between tie towering walls and preci-
pices. In some places it is SO narrow that
single person with a burden finds it diff
ficult to avoid pitching into the depths he.
low No tribe in the country occupies such
an inaccessible locality as a home. White
men never go there unless on science bent.
Through the center OF the little valley
flows cold, clear stream. fed by the noun
tain SHOWS of the distant Bill Williams
Peak. The current is rapid, and the power
Is utilized in a 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 divided into
acequias, which carry it to the fertile
fields. Irrigation is necessary for all crops,
as the rain clouds seldom pour their con-
tents into the hidden valley and the snow
never falls. The soil is a rich, black loam,
debris left by overflows of an ad accent
Colorado in untold seasons 1t produces,
N addition TO various kinds of grain,
peaches, grapes, mesquite beans and
species of guaya
The Ava-Supis have no extensive flocks,
neither herds Of cattle nor horses, like
many of their prosperous neighbors above,
for all their available land 4 s required IN
agricultural pursuits: but profitable trade
S carried on with the Moquis, Zunis and
Navajos, fruits and meal being exchanged
for dried meats and coarse cloths The
tribe at the present time numbers a bout
300 They are carefully observant of
law and order as prescribed by the author
tiles of the pueblo, and are courteous and
hospitable to outsiders Down in his syl-
van nretreattheclimatei is deli ghtful Neither
the extreme heat OF summer nor the So
verify of winter is felt While the chill
winds are raging overhead this seques-
tered glen is all abloom with flowers and
green with waving grass.
The Ava Supis practice monogamy, with
,he exception Of the head chief, TO whom
S granted "A special dispensation permit
ing him to take as many wives as he can
secure and support. Failure to provide
ustifies wife in securing divorce,
which Is done In the simplest possible
by leaving the lodge OF her hus-
,and and refusing thereafter to recognize |
lim in any manner. Should there be |
nan at the bottom of the domestic row,
,he chief has then the satisfaction of ar
aigning him before the council, and it is |
he duty of that august body to assess the |
lamages. The amount is usually based |
lpon the ability of the defendant TO pay |
md when a sum has been fixed upon it |
must be instantly liquidated or the death |
is the alternative This rigid |
ustice is supposed to exercise beneficial !
estraint upon the hot blood of the va
'upis. The government of this primitive |
is In the hands of a chief. |
Who is elected by popular vote. The office /
g not hereditary, and 1t Is seldom that a |
on succeeds the father The disposition |
- ttn
nd thus maintaining pure democracy.
There is rather interesting tradition
-hich the Ava-Supis tell concerning them
elves. In the early days, ages and ages
go, the legend runs, their fofefathers
welt in a great walled city en- the mesa
bove. They were contented and pros
erous people, cultivating vast fields
nd raising enormous herds of stock. In
he course of time, exalted by power and
ches, they became aggressive and domi-
eering toward their weaker neighbors
or weeks at a time they would neglect
,eir fields and herds whilethey aided some
earby tribe The Great Spirit whom they
ad always worshiped grew angry at
lem, for he was the father of all the
ibes alike, and resolved to send some
rrible visitation, that they might know
he strength Of his hand. 1t came at noon
ay, when a II the men and women were in
,e fields. Suddenly out of a clear sky
right light burst and a great wind, fol-
wed by trembling Of the whole earth.
be frightened people turned to run for
er homes, but before they could reach
e walls Of the pueblo the ground opened
Id they were all swallowed up The
,rEnpSs converted tho SIX v and for ,,,apv |
)urs the shrieks Of those who had been
Il within the city walls We're heard above
e sounds of the falling of their homes.