Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-21

solemnly poured liquid Into the bowl
from a water jar. holding it as he did
corresponding sidaS of the bowl. In do
ing this he followed the ceremonial cir
cult heSiI:u ~ with tie north side of
the Fo.! and ending with two passes,
repre- cit.Yc the above and below.
myst.c +! .-ite was also ,.lawn upon the
sand mu,.nG.
Tho pipc-lighter lit an old snake pipe
ornamcntcd with tho cloud symbols and
passed il around among the priests. The
latter then hrcathcd upon handfuls OF
the so-calIed sacred meal casting them
into the bowl which was about half full
Of liquid. Then the snake priests who
stood by the snake Jars which were in
the cast corner of the ROOM began to
take out the alphabetically rattlesnakes,
mind you and stood holding several OF
them in their hands. an act which, I
must confess engrOssed my attention to
the exclusion of aught else. One OF the
Priests then prayed. and after a brief In
terval two rattlesnakes were handed him.
after which other of the venomous rep
tiles were passed to the others. and each
Of the six priests who sat around the
bowl held two rattlesnakes by the necks
with the heads elevated above the bowl.
"A low noise from the rattlers of the
priests which shortly after was accom-
panied by a melodious hum by all pres
ent, then began. The priests who held
the snakes beat time up and down above
the liquid with the reptiles, which wound
their bodies around the arms of the hold
ers The song went on and frequently
changed. growing louder and wilder. ,n-
til II burst forth into fierce. blood
mcnt the heads Of the snakes were thrust
several times into the liquid, so that even
parts of the bodies were submerged. and
were then drawn out not having left the
across the room upon sand mosaic.
knocking down the crooks and other
objects placed about 1t.
LAS they fell upon the sand picture
three snake priests stood In readiness,
and when the reptiles squirmed about or
coled for defense these men, who were
armed with snake whips. brushed them
hack and forth in the sand of the altar.
The excitement which accompanied this
ceremony could not adequately describe.
1.-The low. weird song continued while
other rattlesnakes were taken in the
hands of the priests, and as the song
rose again 10 the wild warcry these
snakes were also plunged into the liquid
and thrown upon the writhing mass
which now occupied the place of the
altar. Again and again this was re-
peated until all the snakes had been
fetiches crooks and sand were mixed
together in one confused mass. AS the
excitement subsidized and the snakes
crawed to the corners of the kiva, seek
ing vainly for protection, they were
again pushed back in the mass, and
brushed together in the sand In order
that their bodies might be thoroughly
dried. Every snake in the collection was
thus washed. harmless varieties being
bathed after the venomous. The low,
weird song of the snake priests con-
tinued. and gradually died away until
there was no sound but the warning rat
ties Of the serpents mingled with that
of the rattles in the hands of the chiefs,
and finally the motion of the snake
whips ceased and all was silent:
during which the snakes were carried
by the dancers In the presence of spec
tators, has been repeatedly described,
and still forms a feature of attraction to
curious travellers in the southwest All
visitors are gladly welcomed by the Hopi
to this ceremony. which is sufficiently
weird in itself. The snakes. which up
to this time had been left in the kiva,
are publicly brought out and carried
about the plaza. The snake priests are
divided into groups of three each. called:
respectively. the carrier. hugger and
gatherer according to their different
functions.
These trios gathered in line near the
entrance to the kiva, and the carrier
knelt down in front of it, extending his
hand inside while the hugger lifted the
carriers foxskn and stroked its back
with his whip. AS the carrier rose he
held venomous snake. Without hesita
tion he placed the Writhing animal in his
mouth, grasping it's neck with his teeth
or lips. He closed his eyes, and the hug
rier's neck. The reptile was SO held that
it's head pointed toward the right and