Zuni Fetiches Part 3

The fetich of the many-colored Coyote (Sus-k'i i-to-pa-nah-na-na), of the Upper regions, is reproduced in Plate V, Fig. 6, which represents the male and female together, the latter being indicated merely by the smaller size and the shorter tail. They are both of aragonite. This conjoined form of the male and female fetiches is rare, and is significant of other powers than those of the hunt.

The black Coyote (Sus-k'i s.h.i.+-k'ia-na), of the Lower regions, is represented by Plate V, Fig. 7, the original of which is of compact white limestone or yellowish-gray marble, and shows traces of black paint or staining.

THE WILD-CAT--HUNTER G.o.d OF THE SOUTH.

The fetiches of the Wild Cat, the princ.i.p.al of which is G.o.d of the South, are represented on Plate VI. They are characterized by short horizontal tails and in most cases by vertical faces and short ears, less erect than in the fetiches of the Coyote.

Plate VI, Fig. 1, represents the fetich of the yellow Wild Cat (Te-pi thlup-tsi-na) of the North. Although of yellow limestone, it is stained nearly black with blood. A long, clearly-chipped arrow-point of chalcedony is bound with blood-stained cotton cordage along the right side of the figure, and a necklace of white sh.e.l.l beads (Ko-ha-kwa), with one of black stone (Kewi-na-kwa) among them, encircles the neck.

Plate VI, Fig. 2, represents the fetich of the blue Wild Cat (Te-pi thli-a-na), of the West. It is formed from basaltic clay of a grayish-blue color, and is furnished with an arrow-point of jasper (jasp vernis), upon which, is laid a small fragment of turkois, both secured to the back of the specimen with sinew taken from the animal represented. Plate VI, Fig. 3, likewise represents the fetich of the Wild Cat of the West. It is a fragment from a thin vein of malachite and azurite, or green and blue carbonate of copper, and has been but little changed from its original condition.

Plate VI, Fig. 4, represents the red Wild Cat (Te-pi a-ho-na), of the South. Although formed from gypsum or yellow limestone, its color has been changed by the application of paint. It is supplied with the usual necklace and arrow-point of the perfect fetich, secured by bands of sinew and cotton.

Both Figs. 5 and 6 of Plate VI represent the fetich of the white Wild Cat (Te pi k'o-ha-na), of the East, and are of compact white limestone carefully fas.h.i.+oned and polished, the one to represent the perfect animal, the other the ftus. This specimen, like Plate V, Fig. 6, has a significance other than that of a mere fetich of the chase, a significance connected with the Phallic wors.h.i.+p of the Zunis, on which subject I hope ere many years to produce interesting evidence.

Plate VI, Fig. 7, represents the fetich of the many-colored Wild Cat (Te-pi su-pa-no-pa), of the Upper regions, which is made of basaltic clay, stained black with pitch and pigment, and furnished with a flake of flint and a small fragment of chrysocolla, both of which are attached to the back of the figure with a binding of sinew.

Plate VI, Fig. 8, represents, according to the Zunis, a very ancient and valued fetich of the black Wild Cat (Te-pi s.h.i.+-k'ia-na), of the Lower regions. It is little more than a concretion of compact basaltic rock, with slight traces of art. Its natural form, however, is suggestive of an animal. Long use has polished its originally black surface to the hue of l.u.s.trous jet.

THE WOLF--HUNTER G.o.d OF THE EAST.

The fetiches of the Wolf, G.o.d of the East, and of his younger brothers (Iu-na-wi-ko we-ma-we) are represented on Plate VII. They are characterized by erect att.i.tudes, usually oblique faces, p.r.i.c.ked-up ears, and "hanging tails."

Plate VII, Fig. 1, is a representation of the fetich of the yellow Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko thlup-tsi-na), of the North. It is of yellow indurated clay-stone. In this example the legs are much longer than in most specimens, for nearly all these figures are either natural fragments or concretions slightly improved on by art, or are figures which have been suggested by and derived from such fragments or concretions. Moreover, the ceremonials to be described further on require that they should be "able to stand alone"; therefore they are usually furnished with only rudimentary legs. The tail is only indicated, while in nearly all other Wolf fetiches it is clearly cut down the rump, nearly to the gambol joint.

Plate VII, Fig. 2, represents a fetich of the blue Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko thli-a-na), of the West. It is of gray sandstone, stained first red, then blue, the latter color being further indicated by settings of green turkois on either side and along the back, as well as in the eyes.

Plate VII, Fig. 3, represents the fetich of the red Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko a-ho-na), of the South. It is but crudely formed from a fragment of siliceous limestone, the feet, ears, and tail being represented only by mere protuberances. Although the material is naturally of a yellowish-gray color, it has been stained red.

Plate VII, Fig. 4, represents the fetich of the white Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko k'o-ha-na), of the East. It is of very white, compact limestone. The hanging tail, erect ears, att.i.tude, &c., are better shown in this than perhaps in any other specimen of the cla.s.s in the collection. It has, however, been broken through the body and mended with black pitch.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WOLF FETICHES OF THE CHASE--HUNTER G.o.d OF THE EAST.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: EAGLE FETICHES OF THE CHASE--HUNTER G.o.d OF THE UPPER REGIONS.]

Plate VII, Fig. 5, represents the fetich, of the many-colored Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko i-to-pa-nah-na-na), of the Upper regions. The original is of fine-grained sandstone of a gray color, stained in some places faintly with red and other tints. The mouth, eyes, ear tips, and tail have been touched with black to make them appear more prominent.

Plate VII, Fig. 6, represents the fetich of the black Wolf (Iu-na-wi-ko s.h.i.+-k'ia-na), of the Lower regions. Although uncommonly large and greatly resembling in form the bear, it possesses the oblique face, upright ears, hanging tail, and other accepted characteristics of the Wolf.

THE EAGLE--HUNTER G.o.d OF THE UPPER REGIONS.

The fetiches of the Eagle, G.o.d of the Upper regions, and his younger brothers of the other regions (K'ia'-k'ia-li we-ma-we) are represented on Plate VIII. They are characterized merely by rude bird forms, with wings either naturally or very conventionally carved (Figs. 3 and 6).

Further details are rarely attempted, from the fact that all the other princ.i.p.al prey animals are quadrupeds, and the simple suggestion of the bird form is sufficient to identify the eagle among any of them.

Plate VIII, Fig. 1, represents the fetich of the yellow Eagle (K'ia'-k'ia-li thlup-tsi-na), of the Northern skies. It consists merely of the head and shoulders, very rudely formed of white limestone and painted with yellow ocher. This specimen is doubtless a natural fragment very little altered by art.

Plate VIII, Fig. 2, represents the fetich of the blue Eagle (K'ia'k'ia-li lo-k'ia-na), of the Western skies. It is quite elaborately carved, supplied with a pedestal, and pierced through the body to facilitate suspension. For during ceremonials, to be described further on, the fetiches of the Eagle are usually suspended, although sometimes, like those of the quadrupeds, they are placed on the floor, as indicated by the pedestal furnished to this specimen. Although of compact white limestone, this fetich is made to represent the blue Eagle by means of turkois eyes and a green stain over the body. A small pink chalcedony arrow-point is attached to the back between the wings by means of a single sinew band pa.s.sed around the tips of the latter and the tail and under the wings over the shoulders.

Plate VIII, Fig. 3, represents the fetich of the red Eagle (K'ia'-k'ia-li a-ho-na), of the Southern skies. Like Fig. 42, this is doubtless a nearly natural fragment of very fine-grained red sandstone, the wings being indicated by deep lines which cross over the back, and the rump grooved to receive the cord with which to secure to the back an arrow-point. The breast is perforated.

Plate VIII, Fig. 4, is a nearly natural fragment of compact white limestone, representing the white Eagle (K'ia'-k'ia-li k'o-ha-na), of the Eastern skies. No artificial details, save the eyes, which are faintly indicated, have been attempted on this specimen.

Plate VIII, Fig. 5, represents, in compact yellow limestone, the speckled Eagle (K'ia'-k'ia-li su-tchu-tchon-ne) of the Upper regions, the drab color of the body being varied by fragments of pure turkois inserted into the eyes, breast, and back. A notch in the top and front of the head probably indicates that the specimen was once supplied with a beak, either of turkois or of white sh.e.l.l. It is perforated lengthwise through the breast.

Plate VIII, Fig. 6, is a representation of a thoroughly typical conventional fetich of the black Eagle (K'ia'-k'ia-li kwin-ne) of the Lower regions. It is of calcite, stained l.u.s.trous black. A cotton cord around the neck supplies the place of the original "necklace."

THE MOLE--HUNTER G.o.d OF THE LOWER REGIONS.

The fetiches of the Mole, or G.o.d of the Lower regions (K'ia'-lu-tsi we-ma-we, in the sacred orders; Mai-tu-pu we-ma-we, in the order of the Hunt), are represented in the collection by only two specimens, Plate II, Fig. 6, and Plate IX, Fig. 1. The figure of a third specimen, taken from one of my sketches of the original in Zuni, is given on Plate III, Fig. 5.

These fetiches being unpopular, because considered less powerful than those of the larger G.o.ds of prey, are very rare, and are either rude concretions with no definite form (Plate II, Fig. 6), or almost equally rude examples of art, as in Plate IX, Fig. 1, which represents the fetich of the white Mole (Mai-tu-pu ko-ha-na) of the Eastern Lower regions. It consists merely of a natural slab of fine white limestone.

Nevertheless, value is sometimes attached to the Mole, from the fact that it is able by burrowing to lay traps for the largest game of earth, which it is supposed to do consciously. For this reason it is sometimes represented with surprising fidelity, as in Plate III, Fig. 5.

THE GROUND OWL AND THE FALCON.

The fetiches of the Ground Owl (the Prairie Dog variety--Thla-po-po-ke'-a' we-ma-we) of all regions, are still more rarely represented and even less prized than those of the Mole. The only example in the collection is reproduced in Plate IX, Fig. 2. The original is quite carefully formed of soft white limestone, and is perforated to facilitate suspension.

The Falcon fetiches (Pi-pi we-ma-we) are included in the Eagle species, as they are called the younger brothers of the Eagle, and supply the place of the red Eagle which variety is met with very rarely.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE MOLE AND THE GROUND-OWL FETICHES--HUNTER G.o.dS OF THE LOWER REGIONS AND ALL REGIONS.

THE NAVAJO FETICHES--PHALLIC G.o.dS OF THE FLOCKS.]

THEIR RELATIVE VALUES.

The relative value of these varieties of fetiches depends largely upon the rank of the Animal G.o.d they represent. For instance, the Mountain Lion is not only master of the North, which takes precedence over all the other "ancient sacred s.p.a.ces" (Te-thla-s.h.i.+-na-we) or regions, but is also the master of all the other Prey G.o.ds, if not of all other terrestrial animals. Notwithstanding the fact that the Coyote, in the Order of the Hunt (the Coyote society or the Sa-ni-a-k'ia-kwe), is given for traditional reasons higher _sacred_ rank than the Mountain Lion, he is, as a Prey Being, one degree lower, being G.o.d of the West, which follows the North, in order of importance. Hence we find the Mountain Lion and Coyote fetiches far more prized than any of the others, and correspondingly more numerous. The Coyote in rank is younger brother of the Mountain Lion, just as the Wild Cat is younger brother of the Coyote, the Wolf of the Wild Cat, and so on to the Mole, and less important Ground Owl. In relations.h.i.+p by blood, however, the yellow Mountain Lion is accounted older brother of the blue, red, white, spotted, and black Mountain Lions; the blue Coyote, older brother of the red, white, yellow, mottled or spotted, and black Coyotes. So the Wild Cat of the South is regarded as the older brother of the Wild Cats of all the other five regions. And thus it is respectively with, the Wolf, the Eagle, and the Mole. We find, therefore, that in the North all the G.o.ds of Prey are represented, as well as the Mountain Lion, only they are yellow. In the West all are represented, as well as the Coyote, only they are blue; and thus throughout the remaining four regions.

The Mountain Lion is further believed to be the special hunter of the Elk, Deer, and Bison (no longer an inhabitant of New Mexico). His fetich is, therefore, preferred by the hunter of these animals. So, also, is the fetich of the Coyote preferred by the hunter of the Mountain Sheep; that of the Wild Cat, by the hunter of the Antelope; that of the Wolf, by the hunter of the rare and highly-valued o-ho-li; those of the Eagle and Falcon, by the hunter of Rabbits; and that of the Mole, by the hunter of other small game.

The exception to this rule is individual, and founded upon the belief that any one of the G.o.ds of Prey hunts to some extent the special game of all the other G.o.ds of Prey. Hence, any person who may discover either a concretion or natural object or an ancient fetich calling to mind or representing any one of the Prey G.o.ds will regard it as his special fetich, and almost invariably prefer it, since he believes it to have been "meted to" him (an-ik-tchi-a-k'ia) by the G.o.ds.

THEIR CUSTODIAN.

Although these fetiches are thus often individual property, members of the Sa-ni-a-k'ia-kwe, and of the Eagle and Coyote gentes, as well as priests included in the Prey G.o.d Brotherhood, are required to deposit their fetiches, when not in use, with the "Keeper of the Medicine of the Deer" (Nal-e-ton i-lo-na), who is usually, if not always, the head member of the Eagle gens.

It rests with these members.h.i.+ps and these alone to perfect the fetiches when found, and to carry on at stated intervals the ceremonials and wors.h.i.+p connected with them.

When not in use, either for such ceremonials or for the hunt, these tribal fetiches are kept in a very ancient vessel of wicker-work, in the House of the Deer Medicine (Nal-e-ton in-kwn), which is usually the dwelling place of the keeper.

THE RITES OF THEIR WORs.h.i.+P.

THE DAY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE FETICHES.

The princ.i.p.al ceremonial connected with the wors.h.i.+p of the Prey Beings takes place either a little before or after the winter solstice or national New Year.