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Page 39
The Indians of Arizona are, perhaps, the most interesting of any
of the American aborigines. They are as unique and picturesque
as is the land which they inhabit; and the dead are no less so
than the living.
The Pueblo Indians, with which the Moquis are classed, number
altogether about ten thousand and are scattered in twenty-six
villages over Arizona and New Mexico. They resemble each other
in many respects, but do not all speak the same language. They
represent several wholly disconnected stems and are classified
linguistically by Brinton as belonging to the Uto-Aztecan, Kera,
Tehua and Zuni stocks. He believes that the Pueblo civilization
is not due to any one unusually gifted lineage, but is altogether
a local product, developed in independent tribes by their
peculiar environment, which is favorable to agriculture and
sedentary pursuits.[8]
[8] The American Race, by D. G. Brinton, 1891.
The houses are constructed of stone and adobe, are several
stories high and contain many apartments. None of the existing
pueblos are as large as some that are in ruins which, judging by
the quantity of debris, must have been huge affairs. Since the
advent of the Spaniard the style of building has changed somewhat
to conform to modern ideas, so that now some families live in
separate one-story houses having doors and windows, instead, as
formerly, only in large communal houses that were built and
conducted on the communal plan.
Their manners and customs are peculiar to themselves and make an
interesting study. Their civilization is entirely original,
though modified to some extent by centuries of contact with the
whites. They understand the Spanish language, but have not
forgotten their mother tongue. They hold tenaciously to their
old customs and have not changed materially during the past four
hundred years.
During that time the Catholic missionaries endeavored to convert
them to Christianity, but with only partial success. While they
appeared to acquiesce, by giving formal obedience to the
requirements of the new religion, they yet held sacred their old
beliefs and in the privacy of the estufa practiced in secret the
rites and ceremonies of their ancient faith.
The Spaniards undertook to conquer a free and independent people
by teaching them dependence and submission, but signally failed.
After a struggle of two hundred and eighty years Spanish
civilization withdrew and left the Pueblo civilization
victorious.
Under successive Spanish, Mexican and American rule the Pueblo
has preserved itself intact which fact stamps the Pueblo people
as being eminently valiant, self-reliant and persevering. They
are peaceable, industrious and hospitable and are said to be the
best governed people in the world. As nearly as can be
ascertained they are free from every gross vice and crime and Mr.
C. F. Lummis, who knows them well, believes them to be a
crimeless people.
The Moquis of Arizona are the most primitive of the Pueblo
Indians and are worthy representatives of their race. They are
of the Aztecan branch of the Shoshonean family and probably the
lineal descendents of the cliff dwellers. Their home is on the
Painted Desert in northeastern Arizona where they have lived for
many centuries. It is a barren and desolate spot and has been
likened to Hades with its fires extinguished. Nevertheless it is
an exceedingly interesting region and furnishes many attractions.
The landscape is highly picturesque and the phantasmagoric
effects of the rarified atmosphere are bewitching.
In the early Spanish days Moqui land was designated as the
Province of Tusayan and was shrouded in mystery. The seven Moqui
towns were at one time regarded as the seven Cities of Cibola,
but later it was decided that Zuni and not Moqui was the true
Cibola.
When Coronado, at the head of his intrepid army, marched through
the land in the year 1540, he procured native guides to aid him
in exploring the country, hoping to find fabulous wealth which
failed to materialize. He heard of a race of giants whom he
wished to meet, but instead of finding them discovered a river
with banks so high that they "seemed to be raised three or four
leagues into the air." What he saw was the Colorado River with
its gigantic canon walls and wealth of architectural grandeur and
beauty. The bewildering sight naturally astonished him as it
does every beholder. Think of a fissure in the earth over a mile
deep! But the Grand Canon of Arizona is more that a simple
fissure in the earth. It is composed of many canons which form a
seemingly endless labyrinth of winding aisles and majestic
avenues--fit promenades for the Gods.
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