AN INDIAN “CLERK OF THE WEATHER.”

Temuka Leader, Issue 407, 2 July 1881, Page 2

AN INDIAN “CLERK OF THE WEATHER.”

Little has hitherto been known of the Zuui Indians, a tribe some 2000 strong, occupying a narrow valley about 30 miles in length, situate upon the western frontier of New Mexico, not far from Fort Wingate, in a south-western direction. The opening up of railway communications, however, in the neighborhood of that far-lying territory has brought the Zunis into notice. They have lately been visited by several western explorers, who report that they are skilled agriculturists and horsobreeders, worshipping the sun as the creative principle, and living in large pyramid’cal buildings, several storeys high, but for lorn of doorways. These quaint dwellings can only be entered through apertures forming as it were the apex of each residential pyramid, and approached by moveable ladders; but every storey, inhabited by one or more than one family, is externally fringed by an open gallery.

priest, who lives by himself in a huge temple, the outer walls of which are decorated with strange hieroglyphics. This functionary is believed by the Zunia to bo in possession of magical secrets, enabling him to regulate the seasons and control the weather. The skin color of most of the tribe is u dark brown ; but a few Ziims have been observed who, although in no other respect differing from their fellows,are with fair blue eyes. It would apjraS -1 * that these abnormal Znnis are regarded with loathing by the rest of the tribe, and live the life of pariahs.