Page 182 - TheHopiIndians

174 MESA FOLK OP HOPILAND

experience and wonder what all the screaming, bark
ing of dogs, and running hither and thither mean, if
he does not fear that he has met the Peaceful People
on the warpath. The hunters smeared with clay pre
sent a strange appearance. In their hands they carry
bow and arrows, boomerangs of oak, and various clubs
and sticks. One of the party is delegated to carry the
rabbits, and he usually rides a burro. In and out
.among the rocks of the mesa aides they skirmish like
coyotes and with quite as fiendish noise. Rabbits
have little chance unless they take to earth, and even
then the Hopi stop to dig or twist them out. Such a
hunt means sixty or seventy miles, perhaps, of hard
work before the hunters dash up the home mesa with
their game to "feed the eagles" or for some other
ceremonial purpose.
Some of the ceremonial hunts bring out as many as
a hundred Hopi, and in such case those on horse or bur
ro or afoot drive the rabbits into a narrowing circle and
close in with an exciting melee that displays more en
ergy than a football game. If for any reason the rab
bits are scarce and the result of a hunt is small, the
Hopi return somewhat dejected and have little to say,
but if the sowimaktu has been a success they make a
triumphant entry with much shouting and exultant
song.
In walking about the pueblos one sees many things
connected with the religious life of the Hopi, especial
ly shrines. An account of the more notable of these
may prove of interest.