Arizona republican., 1912-08-12
SNAKE DANCES IN MOk|LAND
Information as to This Years Events, How to Get There and Approxi- mate Cost of Overland Transportation.

Is always demand among tourists and among Arizona home folks who are planning trips to the mountains, concerning the dates of the Mok snake dances, information as to how to get there, etc. The Santa Fe railway has just issued q circular letter that carries about all the in formation one could desire From it the following facts are taken as of general interest One thing that makes this annual inquiry important IS that the snake dances are nov able festivals and occur at different dates in different years:
 The dramatic Pagan ceremony of the Pueblo Indians of Tusayan. Ari- zona, popularly known as the Moki snake Dances will occur in August this year at Oraibi.
 Ihls weird ceremony is a prayer for ram. It continues for nine days. The public performance Gin which lVe rattlesnakes are handled) oc- CUTS 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 earlier visit
 The province of Tusayan, or Moki reservation, comprises 4,000 square miles, and is inhabited by 2,OOO In dlans, who are grouped in seven will lages on three high mesas near the southern border. Oraibi, on the west
 mesa Ohe largest of the Moki vil- lages). where the most interesting festivities are to take place, is peo- pied by Indians who are more con- servative than those of the other Villages, but they are quite friendly. me dance as given at ShungOpavi | and Shipaulovi, on the second mesa IS by many considered more primi- l tive.
 The public snake ceremony will l occur between August IS and 27-
 probably near August 25. The exact 1 date cannot be given until announc-
 ed by the chief snake priest Parties l should plan to be on the reserva tion
 about August 21 or P.
 The flute ceremony occurs ahout
 the same time. This novel dance is
 an elaborate affair." and by many 1 considered as equal to that with the
 snakes. Both should be visited if
 possible.
 To be fully informed about the
 Mokis, read our illustrated book:
 Indians of the Southwest"
 | The Department of the Interior re-
 qu1res that all visitors to the Moki
 reservation shall have a permit is
 sued by the superintendent and U.
 $. Indian Agent MT. Lee Crane. who
 may be addressed care Moki Training | School. Keam's Canyon. Arizona. The possession of such permit helms to | insure courteous treatment by Indi-
 ans and employees. If the time is | short ask to have permit sent care
 oI santa Fe agent at point leaving | railway. It will be granted to any
 reputable person
 | The Santa Fe trans continental
 line runs 65 miles south of the Moki
 Villages. The nearest stations are
 Winslow, Canyon Diablo Holbrool1
 and Adamana. The only means of | transportation from the railway to 1 Mokiland is by team. The trip or | dlnarlly requires two days each way. l The road and trails lie across the
 almost level Painted Desert, which
 except in the Little Colorado Valley
 and around a few springs or wells. l has scant vegetation. The soil is
 sandy or rocky, and in August the
 weather is warm. The altitude (av- ! eraglng 5000 feet) insures cool nights.
 and the daytime heat is never Op-
 pressive, owing to the small percent
 age of humidity. Enroute one passes | by many Navajo hOgans. and to the l west are the snow capped San Fran l cisco peaks. The trip can be ac- | complished without hardship if one is 1 used to a little "roughing it." and is
 In many ways fascinating. Ladies
 travelling without escort can join one
 of the regular parties and be assured
 safe and pleasant journey.
 For the snake dance festivities | transportation overland will be pro-
 Vided at Canyon Diablo, Winslow l Holbrook and Adamana, as noted be-
 low If advance notice is given, by writing to A. T. & S F-Coast line
 agents at these stations, it will in
 sure ample accommodations being
 reserved. Special arrangements should | De made in the event of wishing to
 stay in Mokiland longer than the | regular excursion schedule
 | Bear in mind that there are no | permanent accommodations for visi- 1 tors at the Moki villages, except a
 few rooms or houses that can be rented from the Moki at reasona ble
 rates. Provisions must be brought in. Most tourists provide themselves with 1 a complete camping outfit, bedding. food, etc. Fortunately Arizona tent | life is quite the thing" in summer. The distance from Canyon Diablo
 to Araibi is about 63 miles and the traveling time required for the trip 1 is about four days, the cost incIud- 1 ing meals being about s6 per day 1 per passenger The distance from Winslow is about 65 miles and the cost is from s25 per passenger in par
 ties of four up to s35 or $40 in small 1 CT parties. The distance from Hol- brook is so miles and the cost ex- | elusive of meals is from $35 up ac-
 cording to the number in parties. From Adamana it is about 85 miles, : the route taking in other scenic won 1 derS, making round trip of about 225 miles and the cost about S7 per l day.