Zuni

Introduction - (OSL-Shea)
The Zuni native American tribe has an unknown meaning. But their tribal name is A’shiwi which means “the flesh”. The Zuni people speak a language that is not related to any known language. English speakers find it hard to pronounce. “Keshi” (kay-shee) means “hello” in Zuni. The Zuni people didn’t really have a form of government except for a man named Frank Hamilton Cushing. Mr. Cushing was a pioneering athroplogist and lived with the Zuni from 1879 to 1884 (5 years).

Zuni women with their children

Habitat/Homes - (OSL-Shea)
The Zuni people lived in flat roofed, stone houses that were called adobe homes. These adobe homes were apartment like homes that were made out of clay and straw, dried out in the sun, and eventually became bricks. They built ladders out of wood or bones to reach higher rooms instead of having stars like today. All Zuni people lived in villages and on high cliffs. They had one house for every five families and their homes were stationary. The climate was extremely dry and water did not come often. The Zuni people lived in lands which we now call Arizona and New Mexico. The vegetation they had were wildflowers, shrubs, cactus, and of course grass. Some animals that the Zuni people saw often were jack rabbits. rattle snakes, coyote, goats, and long haired sheep.

Dress - (SLL-AuroraL)
WAR HEAD DRESSES The first war trailer is the trailer war bonnet. It goes all the way down to the ground. It is made of feathers sown to heavy braided string. It was only wor n by the chiefs. The second war head dress is the halo war bonnet. It goes down to the shoulders. It is also made of heavy braided string and feathers. The war bonnets were also only worn by the chiefs.

The third war bonnet is the strait up war bonnet. It is about a foot and a half tall. They were made feathers heavily sown to rope. The rope also hangs down from it. The chiefs also wore these war bonnets. Women were also chiefs but they did not wear them.

Zuni girls wore long dresses about down to shins and leggings. Around their necks they would wear leather sacks. They did not were shoes very often. They were not allowed to show more than their hands, face, and feet. When they were allowed to wear moccasins they usually had a pattern of flowers. For aprons they would use pretty flowed patterns.They also wore cloaks on special parties.
 * ZUNI GIRLS AND WOMEN**



The men wore breechcloths sown to a metal wire. Sometimes they were shorts.
 * ZUNI BOYS AND MEN**

Food - (SLL-AuroraL)
When they dry their corn they hang it in bushels, and grind it. They grind it by using a wooden crate. They can fit three women to a crate and while grinding they sing and talk. They use one flat stone at the bottom and a bumpy one on top. They use this powder to make into cornmeal. There are 52 ways to make corn. Cooking is the women’s job. They also fished with a spear. For big game they hunted pronghorn, antelope, deer, mountain lion, and buffalo. When these animals are gone they hunted rabbits, ground squirrels, sage hens, and even later sheep, horses, and dogs. Farming When growing corn in the desert the plant need to be at least 10 feet away and it has to be over a little river from under ground. They also grew squash, gourds, tobacco, cotton, and many types of beans.
 * DRYING AND GRINDING**
 * HUNTING**

Customs - (SLL- SamanthaH)
The Zuni have a tribal fair and a rodeo in the month of August. A shalako is a Zuni ceremony of thanksgiving.For their language they refer to themselfs as Spanish. The Zuni called thier language isolate. They worshiped many kachinas(gods).A lake that is called Salt Lake the Zuni whent to offen. They thought belonged to the Salt Mother, Ma'l Okyattsik'i.They originally called themselfs Ashiwi, meaning "the flesh".

Tool and Weapons - (SLL-SamanthaH)
In war the Zuni warriers threw their spears and clubs. The Zuni warriers also used thomahawks for fighting. They also used bows and arrows. Their bows had either eagle, hawk, or turkey feathers on it. Zuni people used ropes for strangeling people when they were fighting too. They also used knifes and spears to hunt for food. To sharpen their spears they used arrow heads.



They also are known for their silver, coral, and turquoise jewelry. The Zuni walked everywere their feet must have hurt! They also made clay pottery witch was their main source for money. To make pottery they grind the clay and mix it with water. Then they polish it and paint it with home made dyes. The Zuni women sang while they grinded stones.

Miscellaneous Facts - (all group members)

 * The Zuni people worshiped the sun and the Earth. They called the sun father and the Earth mother. Zuni was a peaceful yet mysterious tribe. They never got involved in any wars and they were unaffected by any change around them.
 * The Zuni was mysterious but they still had celebrations. On the third week of August every year they would have a tribal fair and rodeo.
 * The Zuni were not big movers. They lived in the same place for over 1,000 years and they are still living there today.
 * The Zuni lived in an area about the the size of Rhode Island.