Chapter I: Front Matter

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION—BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.

THE SIA.

BY
MATILDA COXE STEVENSON.

CONTENTS.

Page.
Introduction 9

Cosmogony 26

Cult societies 69

Theurgistic rites 73
Rain ceremonial of the Snake society 76
Rain ceremonial of the Giant society 91
Four-night ceremonial of the Giant society for the healing
of a sick boy 97
Rain ceremonial of the Knife society 101
Society of the Quer´ränna 112
Rain ceremonial of the Quer´ränna society 113
Other societies 116
Society of the cougar 118
Society of Warriors 121

Songs 123
A rain song of the Shū´wi Chai´än (Snake society)
A song of the Shū´wi Chai´än (Snake society) for healing the
sick 125
A rain song of the Sko´yo Chai´än (Giant society) 126
A song of the Sko´yo Chai´än (Giant society) for healing the
sick 127
A rain song of the His´tiän Chai´än (Knife society) 128
Portion of a rain song of the His´tiän Chai´än (Knife
society) 129
A rain song of the Quer´ränna Chai´än 130
Prayer for sick infant 130

Childbirth 132

Mortuary customs and beliefs 143

Myths 146
The Coyote encounters disappointment 147
The Coyote and the Cougar 154
The Coyote and the Rattlesnake 156
The Skatona 157

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

PL. I. A view of Sia, showing a portion of village in ruins 8

II. Plaza, Sia 10

III. Sisters; cleverest artists in ceramics in Sia 12

IV. Group of Sia vases 14

V. The Oracle 16

VI. Stone house showing plaster on exterior 22

VII. Stampers at work 24

VIII. Pounders completing work 26