ZUNI INDIANS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3155, 8 August 1881, Page 4

ZUNI INDIANS.

Tittle has hitherto been known of the Zuni Indians, a tribe some two thousand strong, Ocoupying a narrow valley thirty mj!es in length, situate upon the western frontier of New Mexico, not far from Front Wingate, in a south westerly direction. The opening of railway communications, however, in the neighbotirhood of that farlying territory has brought the Zunis into notice. They have lately been visited by several western explorers, who report that they are skilled agriculturists and horsebreeders, worshipping the sun as the creative principle, and living in large pyramidal buildings, several storeys high. but forlorn of doorways. These quaint dwellings oan only be entered through the aperturo forming, as it were, the apex of each residental pyramid, and approached by moveable ladders ; but every story, inhabited by one or more than one family, is externally fringed by an open gallery, which serves as a ladder station. The chief personage in the tribe is a high priest, who lives by himself in a hugh temple, the outer walls of which are decorated with strange hieroglyphics. This functionary is believed by the Zunis to be in the possession of magical secrets, enabling him to regulate the seasons, and control ■ the weather. The »lrin oolour of most of the tribe is dark ; but a few Zunis have been observed who, although in other respects similar to their fellows, are light complexioned, with fair hair and blue eyes. It would appear that these abnormal Zunis are regarded with loathing by the rest of the tribe and live the life of pariahs, all intercourse with them being strictly interdicted to tha brownskinned inhabitants of the Zuni Valley.— Diiily Telegraph.