Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 April 1905 — MAGIC IN ZUNI TRIBE. [ARTICLE]

MAGIC IN ZUNI TRIBE.

Apparently Lifted a Jug of Water With a Feather. "The most startling feat I ever saw,” •aid a man who had made a study of Indians In various parts of the United States for his own edification, "was performed by the priests of the Zuni tribe In Arizona, or, as they were called, ‘The Ancients of Creation.’ They seat themselves in a circle on the clay floor around a Jar that will hold perhaps a gallon, an ancient and sacred earthen vessel, which is filled with water. The chief priest carries in his hand two ordinary eagle feathers, w hich are tied together at the quill ends so that they make a fork. Behind the circle Of the priests are other members of the tribe and the musicians with their drums and gourds, who join in the chants with emotion. "The Incantations continue for several hours, and when the participants and spectators are brought up to a proper pitch of excitement the priest dips the feather tips into the water, lifts the jar with them and holds it suspended for a minute or two at a height level with his face or breast. Then he lowers it slowly to the ground. This feat Is repeated several times during the performance. Apparently there is nothing in the hands of the priest but the feathers, and they appear to be inserted into the mduth of the jar only two or three inches. Of course there is some trick about it, but I was never able to discover it.”—Seattle Post-In-telligencer. r