The urine dance of the Zuni Indians of New Mexico

The urine dance of the Zuni Indians of New Mexico

On the evening of November 17, 1881, during my stay in the village of Zuni, New Mexico, the Nehue-Cue, one of secret orders of the Zunis, sent word to Mr. F. Cushing (whose guest I was) that they would do us the unusual honor of coming to our house to give us one of their characteristic dances, which, Cushing said, was unprecedented. The squaws of the Governors family put the long living room to rights, sweeping the floor and sprinkling it with water to lay the dust. Soon after dark the dancers entered; they were twelve in number, two being boys. The center men were naked with the exception of black breech-clouts of archaic style. The hair was worn naturally with a bunch of wild turkey feathers tied in front, and one of corn-husks over each ear. White bands were painted across the face at eyes and mouth. Each wore a collar or neckcloth of black woolen stuff. Broad white bands, one inch wide, were painted around the body at the navel, around the arms, the legs at mid-thighs and knees. Tortoise-shell rattles hung from the right knee. Blue woolen footless leggins were worn with low-cut moccasins, and in the right hand each waved a wand made of an ear of corn, trimmed with the plumage of the wild turkey and macaw. The others were arrayed in old cast-off American army clothing, and all wore white cotton night-caps, with corn-husks twisted into the hair at top of head and ears. Several wore, in addition to the tortoise-shell rattles, strings of brass sleigh-bells at knees. One was more grotesquely attired than the rest in a long India-rubber gossamer over all and a pair of goggles, painted white, over his eyes. His general get-up was a spirited take-off upon a Mexican priest. Another was a very good counterfeit of a young woman. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 68519
Author: Bourke, John Gregory
Release Date: Jul 14, 2022
Format: eBook
Language: English
Publisher: Privately Printed
Publication Date: 1920
Publisher Country: United States