Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1898-01-04
0 INDIAN N
Or. Fewkes witnesses One Of These queer
Ceremonies.

~
Ceremonies.
Hoibrook Argus.
DIR. Fewkes. OF the Smithsonian Insti-
tute, at Washington, has just returned
from the Moqui villages, where he has at
tended the winter dances OF the Moqui
Indians. This dane or ceremony is
called the Say lana, and is the most
complicated OF all the religious cers-
monies. II continues for nine days, in
GLIDING preliminary preparations, which
are quite interesting In themselves. But
space forbids us to 90 into details, and
we will connne ourselves TO the main
features OF the principal ceremony. This
one lie OF great interest to students Of the
religious phenomena amongst men as 1t
is one OF the few ceremonies still In ex.
istence among the unciyilized tribes In
which the sun Is directly the object OF
worship.
This dance takes place during the win
ter solstice when the vertical rays OF the
sun beat down upon the Tropic Of Capri
corn and the sun has receded TO Its far
thest limit In the southern skies. Its OBJ
ject Ia primarily TO induce the sun to re-
cede from It's southern march and retraee
its steps toward the north, to bring Joy,
warmth and returning haryests to the
Moquis. while the secondary object is TO
extend a peace offering to the Great
Plumed Snake, q deity hostile TO the sun.
In order that his wrath may be appeased
and cease to chase the sun away from the
Moquis, allowing 1t TO return to them
from its flight to the south.
The main dance took place at Walpat
on Dec. 20, and on the 22d at 0riaba. II
was held between 10 and IL o'clock in the
evening, in one OF the secret rooms OF the
Khiya. A rude altar had been constructed
In one end OF the room, back Of which
was a partition OF wreaths and flowers,
through which the head OF m efigy OF
the plumed serpent protruded. This head
was about eighteen inches long and
about twelve inches In diameter, and
made from a large gourd. The upper
part Of the head was stained black, the
lower part white, while the mouth, with
a hideOus exhibition OF teeth, was stained
red, presenting a repulsiye appearance In
the extreme. Behind the rude screen was
an Indian whose office II wa to impart
to the head OF the reptile a swaying mo-
ton, as II IL were imbued with life, and
at the same time a number Of Indians
blew into hollow gOurds, which emitted
u strange rushing sound TO initiate the
noise made by the swift movements Of a
monster snake. In front OF the altar and
the efigy OF the snake appeared a war
rior with q shield on which was repre-,
scented emblems Of the sun. On each
side OF the room was a row OF warriors
arrayed 10 represent the minor dieties
antagonistic TO the sun. These minOI
dieties and the plumed snake attacked
the warrior representing the sun, and 9
battle ensued in which the lone warrior
triumphed, beating back his enemies
and thus enabling him to return 10 thu
north TO cheer the land Of the MOquis
The ceremony, occurring in the dead
OF night and in one OF the underground
rooms, dimly lighted by a pickering
mesquite fire, coupled with the weird
performance and the hldeous drama en-
acted, made the ceremony impressive be
yOnd description.
The next morning after the perform
ance AZ the sun rises above the eastern
horizon and tips the western hills will
gold. the Indians offer up their prayer
and sprinkle holy meal In Its face, and b!
these simple acts Of devotion welcome IL
return from the southern skies, and will
II, also, the return Of the KachenOs, tn
good spirits who bring the MOquis rain
corn, abundance Of haryests, and all tn
blessings Of life.
DR.. Fewkes and T. V. Keam are tn
favored few OF the white men who hay
ever witnessed this remarkable ceremony
DR.. Fewkes will make a detailed repor
OF the dance on his return to Washing
ton, which is awaited with considerable
intaraat