Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-02
WIERD RITES OF THE MooUIS
Great Snakes Charmed by an Indian
Boy, who Handles Them
FearlesaIy.

Father Ketcham, as he 10 best known
throughout Indian Territory and Oklahoma.
has spent a greater part Of his life among
the several Indian tribes in this country
and In now at the lead of the Indian mis-
sions. He spent the Christmas holidays In
OKLAHOMA City. visiting his parents.
The Rev. William H Ketcham is hia
name. He is director Of the Catholic In
dian mission bureau in Washington. d.
Talking OF the Indians he had met, he said.
THE Moqui Indians. who live on the high
mesa country. about eighty miles north
east OF Flagstaff, AriE. worship the snake.
and hold their annual snake dances in order
that rain may be sent them from heaven.
They have been at war for more than two
centuries with other tribes. and today they
are reduced 70 seven small villages. They
are nominally Catholics. put they still cling
TO their old religious ceremonies. believing
they can produce rain when needed for
their crops.
'Moqui Frank the s-year-old son Of the
high priest, Kiva, is an adept at handling
monster reptiles and was chosen last sum-
mer, while was among them. TO lead the
snake dance carrying a huge RATHER in his
mouth. tried TO induce them TO permit
me to take his photograph with the snake In
his mouth. but his father said II would be
an objectionable sin to show one Of their
people in that position He declared that
rain would be more dificult TO bring II a
picture was taken Of them while dancing.
THE Moqm Indians are an agricultural
people, many Of them attending their little
corn patches ten miles from their homes i
have seen a man trot ten miles. hoe corn
all day. and trot back In the evening show
/ ing no fatigue. They think nothing OF run
ming all day long after an antelope Their
physical endurance is simply wonderful
Their women the splendid housewives and
the men do all OF the washing and scrub
bling for them.
The snake dance IL a most peculiar re-
lig1ous rite. but they believe II is the only
way 10 produce rGin. The strange part Of
1t IL that for the last few years they re-
ceived copious showers Immediately after
their dance, which makes them earnest be-
levers
"A tent is erected. and inside are placed
from rs 70 100 large snakes mostly rather
% huge size. and a member Of the trfbs
who has been etirely free from sin for al
least one year. In front Of the tent IL 6
deep hole, covered over with boards. Al
the medicine man and high priest marcf
around the tent. each one of them stops
for a second on the boards. each one Civ
ing three hard kicks with the heel. making
a loud noise. This IL done in order thai
the dead and departed may know the dane
Is soon 10 begin. At signal OF the higi
priest the tent is thrown open and eacl
marcher steps In. and each who lie luckl
enough TO pick up q monster snake anS
place il in his mouth. IL accounted one o
the faithful followers Of the mighty snak'
dance religion. AS they march around fo
hours and hours. they chant a song which
imitation.
Cestain members OF the tribe are know
as antelope. buffalo. deer and other viii
animals. The medicine men use feather
which they gently rub back and forth Of
the snake held in the mouth Of an Indian
this has the effect Of releasing the snake
hold upon the neck and prevents Il from
biting kansas City Star.