The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08

visit the Huichols. This he did with great
difficulty because Of the natural dangers in
the way of the untraveled mountain coun-
try and then of the enmity with which the
tribe regarded all strangers, and especially
whites. To show his trust In the Huichols
eb%a TO d bip s,,,s &c t aed s seReSos alone n among oin
the tribe. Thus he was able TO conquer
their animosity and to gather such informa-
ton as he needed in his scientific re-
searches.
Having completed this work he returned
to civilization, and this summer, in order
to discover If the Huichols had been In
fuenced in their decorative art by any
other than native sources. he went abroad.
The result of his study there shows him
that there is a trace of the Arabic inffu-
ence In the art, this having been brought In
by the Spaniards, who got Ii through the
| Moors. The trace Is slight. however, and
Professor Lumholtz says that the main dec
orative work Of the tribe came from the
| native talent in combinations.
81 found this tribe in what must have
been the state of the savage tribes found
by the Spaniards at the time OF the con-
quest centuries ago." said Professor Lum-
holtz at the Everett House last night. They
still use bows and arrows as weapons, thus
showing their lack of contact with the
whites. That they have never been visited
can only be accounted for by the coldness
of their reception of strangers, the lack or
anything of great value among them, and
finally the enormous difficulty one has IN
getting to thier sequestered valley. which
lies shut in by the great ranges. 1t is some
forty miles long and twenty wide, AND popu-
lated by about 1000 souls. The tribe leads
a community life, every man having an
equal amount of property. and the whole
tribe being ruled by a number or chiefs:
Their religion consists in the worship of
the four elements-earth, air, fire and water.
These very decorations are an expires
sion of their reigion-each design Is a
prayer. The decorations Of primitive man
/ are the results of his contemplation of ma
ture and natural objects. Savages do not
decorate from mere fancy, but wish to ex-
Huichols the double water gourd means a
prayer for water, the source of all life and
health. Figures of animals like the lion
and the eagle are express appeals Tor pro-
| lection as we'll as the alteration OF the deity
to which the creatures belong. Flowers,
rain and life, and they are sacrificed to the
god of fire. No flower is ever plucked
without some pious intention. The royal
| eagle Is a favorite design on pouches. The
young female eagle, which is believed to
hold the world in Its talons. guards espe-
cially the corn. The guardian mother eagle
is to the Huichol synonymous with the
Virgin Mary.
1.-The designs are not often made In stone,
but most usually are found In the wearing
apparel Of the people, and may be woven,
| embroidered, or formed In beadwork. In
for US to find new designs. new patterns,
| and it is certain that when these patterns
| become known we shall turn TO this tribe
for new ideas. 1t is curious that this peo-
pie, which are regarded as uncfytnzed and
far our interiors, are more artistic in GER
| tain WAYS than ourselves and unconsciously
turn out beautiful designs, while In ~civiliza-
| ton we have to establish societies TO en-
courage people to surround themselves with
beautiful things"