Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-08-11
MOM SNAKE DANCE.
The Passenger Department Of the
Santa Fs Announces Dance.
few INTERESTING FACTS.

The dramatic pagan ceremony of tha
Pueblo Indians of Tusayan, Ariz., pop
ularly known as the Moki Snake
Dance, will occur in August this year
at the pueblos of Oraibi, Shipaulovi
and Sichomovi. In 1901 it was wit
messed by more than 300 tourists.
This weird ceremony is a prayer for
rain. 1t continues for nine days. The
public performance Tin which live rat
tlesnakes are handled) occurs on the
ninth or last day, which is the time
when the general public are invited to
be present, although no objection is
made to an caller visit.
The province of Tusayan, or Moki
reservation, comprises 1000 square
miles and is inhabited by 1000 In
dians, who are grouped in seven vii
lagos on three high mesas near the
southern border. Oraibi on the west
mesa, where the most Interesting fes-
tivities are to take place, is peopled
by Indians who are more conservative
than those of the other villages, but
they are wholly friendly to strangers.
The dance there is said to be better
than the ones to be held at S%hipaulovi
and Sicnomovi, on the second mesa.
1t is expected that the nine days
dance at Oraibi will be given between
August IL and 20; the public snake
ceremony will probably occur on Au-
gust 20. If this date is changed prin-
cipal Santa Fe agents will be promptly
advised.
The flute ceremony at Mishongnovi
and Wolpi on the middle and eastern
mesas, occur about the same time.
This novel dance is an elaborate affair,
and by many considered as equal to
that with the snakes. Both should be
visited, if possible.
The department of the interior re-
quires that all visitors to the Moki
reservation shall have a permit issued
by the superintendent and acting
United States Indian agent, Charles E.
Burton, who may be addressed care
Moki Training School, Keam's Canyon,
Ariz. The possession of such a permit
helps to insure courteous treatment by
Indians and employees.
The Santa Fee trans-continental line
runs seventy-five miles south of the
Moki villages. The nearest stations
are Canyon Diablo and Winslow. The
only means of transportation from the
railway to Mokiland is by team. The
trip ordinarily requires two days each
way. The roads n trails lie across
the almost level Painted Desert, which.
except in the Little Colorado valley
and around a few springs or wells, has
scant vegetation. The soil is sandy or
rocky, and in August the weather is
warm. The altitude averaging 5000
feet insures cool nights, and the day
time heat Is eve oppressive owing
to small percentage of humidity. En-
route one passes by many Navajo
hogans, and to the west are the snow.
capped San Francisco peaks. The trip
can be accomplished without hardship,
il one is used to a little "roughIng II" |
and is in many ways fascinating.
For the snake dance festivities trans
p~ortation overland will be provided at
Canyon Diablo and Winslow.
Bear in mind that there are no per
manent accommodations for visitors
at the Moki villages, except a few
rooms or houses than can be rented
from the Mokis at reasonable rates.
Provisions must be brought in. Most
tourists provide themselves with a
complete camping outfit, bedding, food,
etc. Fortunately, Arizona tent life is
quite the thing" in summer.
The distance from Winslow to Oraibi
is nearly eighty miles. The round trip
journey is accomplished in four days,
to which add the time at the dance.
The railway agent at Winslow reports
that there will be ample facilities for
tourists from that point. Advance ar
rangements should be made with X. U.
Creswell, Winslow, Ariz., who an
nounces a round trip rate OF $50 per
capita. This includes everything
needed, such as covered rigs with COM
petent drivers, tents, bedding and o
No extra charge If passengers wish TO
stay at Oraibi two days instead of one.
The distance from Canyon Diablo to
Oraibi is seventy-two miles. The round
trip is easily made in four days. Mr..
Volz, the Indian trader, advises that
he has already contracted for about as
many tourists as can be conveniently
taken care of, namely, forty. 1t Is pos
sible there may be a few vacancies at
the last moment. The chances OF be-
ing booked may be ascertained by ear
" correspondence with +. w. Volz,
CANYON Diablo. Ariz. Mr.. Volz is plan
ming to give a big feast LOT the NaVaJos
at the Fields" returning from Mokl-
land, with dances, games, etc. ms
charge is sS5 for round trip OF hVe