The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-12-11
Arizona Indians, Far Removed
From Civilization, Cling to
Ancestral Customs.
AS IN DAYS BEFORE COLUMBUS
Mokiland lie the Richest Part Of The
Union for Prehistoric Exploration
Medicine Man Determines
Date for Snake Dance.

Smithsonian Psychologists say that
the most interesting aboriginal cere-
monies performed nowadays in Amer
lea take place in midsummer days
among the Moki Indians. who live in
northeastern Arizona. Scarcely touch
ed by our civilization and clinging to
ancestral customs, 81. G. Tinsey tells
the Dearborn Independent, the Mokis
perform during the last days OF. each
August dances and rites in propitia-
ton Of their god Of rain, identical
with those Of their ancestors ages be-
fore Columbus sailed from Spain.
Mokiland. or the province OF Tusuy-
an as the Spanish named 1t In the
early part OF the sixteenth century, is
the richest part Of the Union for pre-
historic exploration. Cities Of strong
intelligent people. fourished here u
the time Of the Caesars. Ruins o.
heather temples, which crumbled be
tore the Montezuma dynasty began
lie among the drifting sands. The
land OF the Mokis abounds in an
Client traditions still kept In tneir
pristine freshness.
Studying Mokis' Customs.
! This month two score Of American
ethnologists and psychologists. besides
some from Europe, have gathered u
the Moki pueblos to study the Gus
toms, habits, thought and traditions
Of man In prehistoric America. as theJ
have come down through generations
OF Mokis.
Spanish adyenturers under Cor
onado reckoned In 1912 that thert
were about 1900 souls In the Tusuy
an confederacy Of Moki tribes. Nov
there are but q few hundred Mokis
They are known also AZ Hopis: ant
their ~name signifies peace loving
/ They have a tradition that severa
hundred years ago the wariik'
Apaches waged q terrific war agains
the tribe. The remnant Of the Moki'
ned il terror and took refuge ON tn
{ two great tahlelands e red sandston'
which rise sheer some 20 feet out o
: vast sea Of sand. The great rock!
+ formation has been q verttaDle VI
hrsltar OF defense to the tribe and IRON
the day the ancestral Mokis fed the
and their descendants have dWel
there isolated. Rain IL the ail-essen
tial element In the success OF Mok
agriculture, and In the desert regio'
rains come capriciously.
\; The date Of the Moki snake dane
+ Is determined by ancld medicine ma g.
4 the tribe. When during August ~
run 81 IL setting slints the sacre'
rock that stands before the door g
Ina tribal kiva, the old medicine MAJ
T1oni mounts the highest point e
/ either Walpi Or Oraibi and solemn
odvea notice that rs sunsets hence q
solemn snake ceremonies Will tax
s,l.ce. He ends BY invoking all to %
IN immediate preparation Tor me Q
c.s,on The women are to bake 70
4 tribal feast, to dress themselves an
their children In their best garment
.,d tba men are to perform their sex
ernl parts in the ceremonies.
certain number Of young men. q
,,o,nted for the purpose, start out 9
next dawn to perform their par. :
tha nrepafation for the dance. Inc
- knIali (snake gatherers). Inc
!. . :. : over the desert with forke
..t,clr II one hand and bag MADE 9
s ss. e the other. They know wher
UAAsA@ - 80 ~ u. - Ia. nd a0Yal