Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1875 — Zuni Customs. [ARTICLE]

Zuni Customs.

The Zuni Indiana are in many respects similar to those of the Moqui and other Pueblos, but speak a language unintelligible to the latter. Their dress resembles that of the Chinese, and many of them, notably the women, hare the physical characteristics of the latter, among which are oval faces, merry, almond-shaped eye# and a similar complexion. -Dwelling with them, aa with the Moquis, are several families of albinos, which have been among them during many generations. These never intermarry with their darker neighbors, between whom and themselves there exists a mutual dislike. The usual dress of the men consists of a cotton tonic, and loose trowsers of the same material, reaching half-way below the knee, the tunic being often gathered by a leathern belt or a gayly-colored woolen sash, in the manufacture of which the Moquis excel. Over all is worn in cold weather a Navajo blanket of brilliant hues and water-proof, varying in value from five dollars to five horses. We have seen several made by the Navajos for officers and traders valued at $l5O coin each. This finer work in colors seems not to be understood by the Zunis, or they perhaps find it more profitable to wool for the blankets, devoting themselves to their farms and herds. The women wear always an outer garment of wool falling from the shoulders nearly to the ankle, and gathered at the waist by a broad woolen sash of bright colors, the fringed or tasseled ends of which hang nearly to the feet Knitted woolen leggings and high buckskin moccasins complete the dress of the lower limbs, while their beautiful arms are uncovered or concealed at pleasure within the ample folds of their dress ■ or blanket, the latter being worn with a grace almost classical. The heavy black hair of both sexes is cut—or, as our ladies have it, banged— over the forehead, sometimes restrained by a cotton band around the head, and often with the maidens dressed in puffs at the side and top of the head in a manner to heighten their resemblance to the Chinese. Their flocks are numerous and constitute their chief wealth. One of tne caziques gave his daughter 2,000 sheep, as a dower, a short time before our visit. Their farms extend down the Zuni Valley several miles, in addition to which they cultivate other valleys within a radius of twenty miles, where are smaller pueblos, which have each had thriving populations in past centuries, but which are now occupied only during the summer months by families from Zuni. Their dependence upon irrigation makes agriculture laborious, but their joy at harvest-time, when young and old of both sexes join in gathering and threshing their crops of grain, is contagious in its merriment. Circusrings are formed near the village, the clay soil being leveled and beaten until a firm, smooth surface is obtained, and around this horses, asses and Indians trot inagrotesque procession, with an accompaniment of songs and jokes, threshing the sheaves of grain. The lordly Navajo, at such times, visiting there for trading purposes, strides about, a king in stature and grace, or lazily smokes his cigarette, while he watches a labor he despises.— William C. Manning, in Harper's Magazine for August.