La Junta tribune., 1915-05-29
STRANGE INDIAN CUSTOMS.
Mrs. Walter Dubrcc Writes lnterest-
Ing Story Of the Death and Buri.
ri Of Navajo Indian.


We are at present located on the
western Navajo Indian Reservation
at the United States Indian school In
Tuba. Ariz.. seventy-seven miles
north OF Flagstaff We made the
trip overland from Flagstaff In about
five hours in Ford auto. The trip
takes you over hills covered with
tall pines and cedars. then over the
divide by snow capped mountains.
down on to the desert, across the Lit
tie Colorado river. ana by the Paint
ed Desert. which is very unique
sight. II is formed OF much briEht
colored rock and earth. Tuba IL
certainly an oasis In the desert. It
was founded by the Mormons thirty
years ago. but there are none OF the
sect here at present. The school site
was bought from them by the govern
ment about twelve years ago. There
are about fifty white people here.
An abundance OF water is furnish-
ed the school buildings and for irri-
CATION purposes from springs Of pure.
soft water that gush out Of the rocks.
There are many tall poplar and cot
tonwood trees. also apples. apric0ts.
peaches. plums. grapes and small
fruits.
The school buildings are construct
ed Of red sandstone. Three Of them
are two stories In height. strictly
modern and gas lighted. There ars
ll3 Indian children In the school.
mostly Navajos. and few Piutes and
Hopis.
There is n Presbyterian Mission
church here and two trading posts, or
stores. to which the Indians bring
their wool and exchange II for provi.
sions and clothing. The raising Of
sheep and cattle is their chief indus
try. and also the weaving Of the Ma
vajO rugs.
The Navajos do not live In villages.
but each family has their summer
aud winter home. or hogan. built
|separately. usually near . flowing
spring. The winter hogans are
built Of logs In the shape Of bee
hive. about eight or ten feet high.
The logs are covered with brush and
mud all over. with one door. and
hole In the top for the smoke to es.
cape. There Is no other means Of
getting liEht or ventilation. The
summer hoEans are about the same.
but made entirely Of logs and brush,
with no mud covering ON them.
There Ii \ village OF Hopi Indians
u couple Of miles from here which I
hope To visit soon.
The burial customs Of the differ
ent Indian tribes vary ~ much %
their modes Of living and their In
dustriai pursuits. The Yumas and
MoJaves cremate their dead and the
Hopi's bury theirs In crevices In the
rocks.
A wealthy Navajo Indian was
brought 70 the doctor At Tuba. from
his home forty miles away. one day
this week. lie had been sick for q
year and had paid his local native
medicine man \ great part Of his
fortune In sheep aud cattle 20 cure
him without avail. and came TO the
white mans doctor ~ u last resort.
He only lived couple Of days after
reaching here. lie has . young
daughter attending the school.
The Navajos never allow one OF
their people TO die Ia their houses,
or hogans. n they can possibly pre-
vent Il. hut move them outside be.
fore death occurs. II one should
die In the house they always burn it
or desert Il forever. like q haunted
house.
After the Navajo's death. which
occurred In the night. his wife and
oil the other relatives left him.
Some Of the school employees dug
bis grave and buried him. Ills peo-
pie left bis burial clothes With Dr..
Wilson and told him what was %
b buried with him. They have Q
mortal fear Of the dead and nsvee
touch . dead person. Il Il becomes
necsssasy for them 70 bury their
own dead. four Of their number take
charge. aad handle the corpse -
holding The corner Of ths blanket q
which he died. Thsy then dig .
shallow grave near b.. psilsag ~
body into Il, together WITH the q.
eeased's psssosal bsloasiags, -
ehs grave b quietly fillsl %. They
never sDeak svsa b eaeA othee, -
turn 70 1ook bask aftee ~ task =
fisishsl. but % eff - tAenoolvoo
Tor . Dsssed q feus lays. luslne
0knNh f1m0 fhnw nnn&a~m - =.