Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1919-04-25

traits predominant, but the Havasupai
are unique in this respect. They are
peaceably inclined and happy in the
contemplation of their own works
Expert Corn Growers.
The Havasupai live in camps during
the summer months along the creek i'm
the midst of their farms. They are
expert in raising corn crops.
The deep canyon bed, irrigated G9
the cataract, is an oasis in the arid
desert which surrounds the canyon
Corn, BEANS squash and fruit are
raised in abundance and the peaches
are especially delicious, according tn
Mr. Spier The nearby mountains
abound in sheep, deer antelope and
wild turkeys, SO there is no lack Of
fresh meat.
In winter the tribe takes to the
lodges and caves on the mountain side
high above the danger levels. Cataract
creek always overfows during the
rainy season and mandates the land
Here" said Mr.. Spier, 81 found some
most interesting caves, unqueSti0ua-
bly, carved out of the walls by pre-
historic race. l found some fragmeR-
tary pottery in various places which
supported my theory.
"These caves" he continued. serve
as excellent shelters, and here each
family builds it's storehouse for pre-
serving its grain and meat. These are
constructed out of mud, baked hard
and then sealed"
Native Turkish Bath.
The chief diversion among the maics
is to fOregather about the vari0nS
sweat lodges to gossip and discuss
affairs of the tribe. The sweat lodge
is their Turkish bath. A bed of straw
is laid down and a covering placed
over it. 1t is made just large enough
for one man to crawl inside Baskets
containing red-hot rocks are place.
side and water is then poured over
them, producing a cloud of steam
The covering holds the steam inside
and as soon as the sweating process is
deemed to have progressed sufficiently
the bather jumps out for "shOck" Ia
the icy waters of the cataract. Az
each man finishes his bath he joins the
circle, all in breechclouts, for the dis
cuSsOn of tribal affairs.
The women do not devote all Of
their afternoons to domestic pursuits
They have passion for gambling, Mr.
Spier says, and for several hours af-
ter the days toll in the fields they con-
gregate and play at dice. The game fs
somewhat like the American game OF
craps, although four dice are used
fashioned out of goats horn
Today one never finds American In
dams using anything but matches to
light their fires. The Havasupai still
use primitive fire drills. Up to 1910
the stone knife was used exclusively.
Lately some modern implements have
filtered in through the government
agent They have some horses and a
small number of cattle with which
they are having splendid success.
No Marriage Ceremony
Marriage in the canyon is without
ceremony. The brides consent having
been won in the orthodox fashion the
couple merely live together without
further ado. The brave must make
payment, however, to the brides pa
rents, and the customary form is TO
give his service in the fields of his
''in-laws' until the first child has been
born. This method of payment is
strictly enforced. There is no divorce
recognized among the Hayasupai.
OF the two chiefs Mr.. Spier said:
They have absolutely no prerogatives
in the matter Of power over the tribe.
The tribe as a whole works well to
gether and the members feel certain
definite social consciousness. 1t is the
business of the chiefs TO act as media
tors when matters need adjustment.
but whatever laws exist are enforced
through public opinion. The chiefs
are charged with advising the young
women and instructing the youths
growing into manhood There is no
capital punishment, and instead Of the
death penalty for murder the Offend
ing party must make 6. payment In
land or goods. LEGITIMACY does not
exist among them. Every child that
is born has recognized father ard no
odium attaches TO offspring, as iap-
pens so frequently among people OF
higher social development"