Page 85 - TheHopiIndians

MESA FOLK OP HOPILAND 77
honors and said among other things that some of the
ceiling beams of the room came from ancient Awatobi,
destroyed in 1700.
A small niche in the rear wall of the living room,
at the back of which stood a short notched log-ladder,
caused some speculation. Quite unexpectedly and in
a somewhat startling way its purpose was explained,
for, when someone called the absent Nampeo, a pair of
feet were seen coming down the steps of the ladder,
followed finally by Nampeo, who, after a profound
bodily contortion, smilingly emerged from the narrow
passage into the room.
Nampeo was prepared to instruct. Samples of the
various clays were at hand and the novice was initi
ated into the qualities of the hisat ch uoka, or ancient
clay, white, unctuous and fragrant, to which the
ancient Sikyatki potters owed the perfection of their
ware ; the reddish clay, siwu chiioka, also from Sikyat
ki; the hard, iron-stained clay, choku chuoka, a white
clay with which vessels are coated for finishing and
decoration, coming from about twelve miles southeast
of Walpi. In contrast with Nampeo's four clays the
Hopi women use only two, a gray body clay, chaka-
butska, and a white slip clay, kutsatsuka.
Continuing her instructions Nampeo transferred a
handful of well-soaked ancient clay from a bowl on the
floor by her side to a smooth, flat stone, like those
found in the ruined pueblos. The clay was thrust
forward by the base of the right hand and brought