The Religious Life of the Zuñi Child | Page 8

The neck rests through a finely decorated kind of
altar carried by the two Soot-[=i]ke. The tail end of the fetich is held by
the priest of the K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si, who constantly blows
through a large shell, which he carries in the right hand, holding the
serpent with the left. The K[=o]k-k[=o] pass through the town and visit
each kiva; they put the head of the serpent through the hatchway, that
those who are privileged to assemble in the kivas may see the fetich.
The K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si is then taken to the Kiva of the Earth,
H[=e]-tk[=a]-pa-que. The walls of this kiva are decorated with two
K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si, which extend almost around the entire walls
of the room, the heads nearly meeting at the north end of the room. The
fetich is placed between the heads. The others of the K[=o]k-k[=o]
repair to their respective kivas, the H[=e]-i-i-que or Kiva of the North,
the Moo-h[=e]-i-que or Kiva of the West, the Choo-p[=a]-ä-que or
Kiva of the South, the [=O]h-h[=e]-i-que or Kiva of the East, and the
Oop-ts[=a]n-[=a]-[=a]-que or Kiva of the Heavens. From each of these
kivas men and youths from the secret orders to which I have referred
are assembled to receive the K[=o]k-k[=o]. When all the K[=o]k-k[=o]
have gone to their kivas, the ten K[=o]-y[=e]-m[=e]-shi, who reach the
village after the others, go to their house, which is not one of the sacred

assembly houses, but chosen from among the S[=u]s-ki-i-que, or
people of the Wolf gens.
The K[=o]k-k[=o] sing and dance in their own kivas, then change about,
those of the North passing to the West and those of the West going to
the South, and so on. This is continuous until the first white streak
warns them that day is approaching. At this time the head of the
K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si is put through the opening in the side wall of
the kiva, when all who choose may look upon it. Behind this creature
the old priest stands and blows through the body, making the same
peculiar noise, representing the roaring of a sea monster, that he has
kept up throughout the night. The image is only seen by the uncertain
light of the faintest impression of day. P[=a]-oo-t[=i]-wa remains with
the K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si in the Kiva of the Earth. At sunrise the
Sä-lä-m[=o]-b[=i]-ya go to this kiva, each bearing the plume stick
made on the sixth day and an ear of corn. The Sä-lä-m[=o]-b[=i]-ya of
the North first advances to the priest of the K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si and,
presenting him with the plumes and ear of yellow corn, prays that the
K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si will give to his people the seeds of the earth;
the Sä-lä-m[=o]-b[=i]-ya of the West next approaches, presenting his
wand and an ear of blue corn, praying that the K[=o]-l[=o]-oo-w[)i]t-si
will bring to his people the seeds of the earth; and so the red corn of the
South, the white of the East, the all-color of the Heavens and the black
of the Earth are presented with the same prayer. The
Sä-lä-m[=o]-b[=i]-ya remove their masks after entering the kiva, when
they immediately lose their identity as the K[=o]k-k[=o]. They are
merely men now, praying to the K[=o]k-k[=o]. This ceremony over,
they return to their respective kivas, having put on their masks before
leaving the Kiva of the Earth.
At this time the [t]S[=i]-[t]s[=i]-[t]ki partially ascends the ladder of the
Kiva of the North, remaining just inside of the hatchway, and, holding
the rabbit to his mouth, calls through the reed: "Your little grandfather
is hungry; he wishes something to eat; bring him some stewed meat."
The K[=o]-y[=e]-m[=e]-shi, in obedience to the request of the little
grandfather, go to the homes of the children to be initiated, calling for
food. At the same time the K[=o]-y[=e]-m[=e]-shi give to each

novitiate his name. Previous to this the boy is designated as baby boy,
younger boy, older boy, &c. The food is received by the
K[=o]-y[=e]-m[=e]-shi and taken to the Kiva of the North, where it is
divided and carried to the different kivas. For this occasion the native
beans are prepared. There is as great a variety of color in these as in the
corn. The yellow beans are carried to the Kiva of the North, the blue
beans to the Kiva of the West, the red to the Kiva of the South, the
white to the Kiva of the East, the all color to the Kiva of the Heavens,
the black to the Kiva of the Earth. A sumptuous meal is now served in
each of the kivas.
After this meal the K[=o]k-k[=o] begin their bodily decorations, with
their bodies almost nude. Those of the North are painted yellow; those
of the West, blue; those of the South, red; those of the East, white;
those of the Heavens, all colors on the body and