The Arizona sentinel., 1899-10-28
A MOHAYE FUNERAL.

but among semi civilized and prim
 tive peoples the forms observe
 often have had their origin in an cient and, perhaps, partially-foTgot
 ten traditions or superstitions. s
 it is with the funeral rites of tn
 Mohave Indians, tribe that live
 on the Colorado River for some dis
 tance above and below Needles
 These Indians burn their dead-no
 because they appreciate the sanitar.
 advantages of cremation ascom.
 pared with burial, but because of
 tradition current among them tt
 the effect that the Great Spirit wa:
 burned. They follow with greai
 exactness the directions that were
 given by the Great Spirit in regard
 to the burning of his own body. As
 all burnings among the Mejaves are
 conducted in exactly the same man.
 ner. a description Of one that took place, not long since, near Fort
 Mojave, Ariz., will serve as a type.
 The deceased in this case was a young buck. The medicine man
 had announced that he would die, and the mourning had commenced several days before his death. One day, about dusk, word was brought to the fort that the sick Indian was breathing his last. All of the whites at the fort (about seven) started immediately to the camp, where the patient lay. This camp was in the river bottom, about half a mile north of the fort. Less than half of this distance had been covered when the weird sound of the crying reached us. We supposed this to indicate that death had come to the sufferer, but were not certain of this, for, as has been stated, the crying had been going on at inter vals ever since the medicine man had pronounced the decree of fate
 As we pursued our way along the winding path among the mesquite trees, we suddenly met a number of bucks walking in single file, and | one of them leading a pony. Now we felt certain that death was in the camp ahead. The pony be- Ionged to the deceased, and these bucks were taking it away to pre- pare a feast, in which all of the mourners would participate after the burning.
 We found the mourners gathered | under and around an open shed, which was framed with willow and | covered with arrow weed. The corpse lay wrapped in a white gar ment, in the center of the group. Most of the Indians present were crying aloud or talking in Wailing tones. One of the local chiefs talked | continuously in a loud voice, using his eloquence, not to console, but to augment the grief of the mourners.
 As soon as the dead body was cold, it was placed on a rude litter, and carried by two stalwart bucks to the funeral pyre-already pre-, pared.
 The Mohave funeral pyre is al- ways constructed iE the same man. ler. First, hole about two feet leep, two feet wide and four feet ong is dug--the long way extend Dg north and south. This hole, being filled with dry brush, willow md mesquite logs are piled over it .o tie height of about three feet. The logs are held in place by green stakes. A hollow is left in the top of the pyre to receive the body.
 When the pallbearers arrived at the pyre, they raised the litter to yhe top, and turned it so as to let the body slide into the trough. The corpse lay with it's head toward the south, and face down-both essen tial conditions.
 The litter was left on the pyre, and more logs were piled rudely on top, until the corpse was complete Iy hidden. The dry brush under heath was now lighted: and in minute the whole pyre was in blaze. As soon as the fire was fair Iy started, the belongings of the leceased-clcthes, blankets, etc., ] very meager outft,-were burned. Then the crowning act of devotion F was performed by the only relatives