The copper era., 1903-01-22
MYTHOLOGY OF
 MOHAVE INDIANS.
Queer Customs and Beliefs of Some
 Arizona Indians.
Written for the ERA.

Written for the ERA.
 The Mohaye Indians who live on the
 banks of the Colorado river have a
 tradition Of their origin which is quite
 interesting. l met old Hal kee- rah- reh-wsh Swift Boat) their chief, sev-
 eral years ago. and he told me that his great, great, great grandfathers told their children many, many moons ago,
 that a big squaw after a long and tire som journey came to the banks of the
 Colorado river, where, after quenching
 her thirst, and feeling cold after
 travelling all day, Ohe day being an unusually cold oncl she built fire of willow branches tu warm her tired
 body. After while she fell asleep. and while asleep two sparks flew up and struck her in the navel, and she afterwards gave birth to twins, a boy
 ITalkee rah-uh-wsh informed me, his tribe owed their origin.
 Once year they gather in silent conclave to mourn for their friends and relatives who have died within the year. They cOngregate in some se- cluded locality where they are sure of not being interrupted by outsiders. The congregation is composed of Mo hayes, Flutes, Yumas, Wallapais, Hava Supias and CO-cOpahs, each one painted according to his rank, for be it remembered that each ones history, socia! position, age, bravery, etc, is painted on his face. denoted by certain l lines, circles, squares, uVUo, us.,',.~., triangles and curves. also color Of paint and width of lines. which is 1 readily read and understood by each | Indian. Some have plaids on their l faces as wide as those of the "clan ! Mackenzie" Others would turn a Spaniard green with envy by the bril- l liancy Of their colOrs. The next would put d society leader to shame by the varied collection of feathers in ! her hair. Small campfires are built just as darkness commences. When the wise men, or priests, with black encd faces, step into the circle, then one of them, after short chant, will ask in loud tones: "Whcre is my frieud (cailing departed brave by name) whom 1 have not seen since the corn began to grow" Here he pauses for an answer. Presently a wall is heard from the multitude After another pause, when silence reigns again. a certain brave will answer: ''YOur friend, my friend an1 brother of so and-so, who was noted as q devoted son, a loving father, d fearless warrior and a successful hunter, crossed the happy hunting grounds two moons ago" Here a relative will lean on a friends shoulder and begin to enumerate his many virtues. The friend sh akes his head and says: Eek soopo, "-yes, l know. Then they begin crying, and I may add that they do shed genuine tears Of regret. The next on the list will probably be the name Of some squaw, who is mourned by her child ren for her many motherly virtues, and by her buck for her ability to keep the family larder well supplied.
 These crying conventions sometimes last week, or more, according to the death list, being kept up continually night and day until all names are dis posed Of. On dark night, when one sees ali these painted savages going through their ceremonies, Hitting in and out between their campfreS, howl
 ing and waiIing, with inflamed. fearful eyes, painted, half naked bodies, and long matted hair hanging down their backs. it recalls quite few cantos of Dante's Inferno. JNO. LAFFY.