The Rain Makers: Indians of Arizona and New Mexico [SOLD]

Part I: The Rain-Makers in the Southwest

Part II: Social Life and Order in the Pueblos

Part III: Arts and Industries of the Pueblos

Part IV: Ceremonies and Song

Part V: Mythology and Belief

Part VI: The Nomad Apache

Part VII: The Pastoral Navajos

Part VIII: Desert and River Tribes

From the Introduction:

In approaching the Desert Indians, we take it for granted that they, being the conquered race, acknowledge the superiority of the whites.  But, as a matter of fact, every Indian in his heart considers himself far above the white man.  They are descendants of warriors and have the warrior’s pride and dignity.  To them we are a nation of unmannerly intruders who force our way into their houses, pluck and stare at everything, and then rush on to see more of what we do not take the trouble to comprehend.

Though not now warriors, the Indians of the Southwest have lived for ages in the midst of enemies.  Harried by the predatory Utes from the north, beset by the fierce Comanches of the Plains, and constantly fighting among themselves, they acquired a necessary attitude of self-defense.  When the Spaniards came, the Indians were generally friendly—until their experience with them and their Anglo-Saxon successors proved that a defensive habit was also necessary toward these latest comers.  Even the peace-loving Pueblos have had to fight for their lands and homes, and they have still the pride and suspicion engendered by wars and encroachment.

The kiva in every village, their most sacred place of ceremonial mysteries, is as much to be respected as the chancel of a Christian church or the lodge of a fraternal order.  Yet the Indian watchman must constantly defend it from the curious and the lawless.  Many Pueblo men and most Indian women object to being photographed by any casual person, precisely for the same reason that we should, if a strange Kodak amateur should halt us in the street of our town and demand that we pose for him.  The modern Indian has learned to submit sometimes, for the sake of a little money, but such behavior merely confirms his opinion of our rudeness.

Indian women are extremely modest and reticent.  They do not wish to converse with strange men nor to be questioned concerning the details of their domestic life.  Because they are poor and have become a public spectacle to the tourist, they are not therefore pleased by our inquisitiveness.  White women in men’s clothes are especially incomprehensible to them, offending their primitive concepts of modesty; and white men offend as much by the good-natured familiarity and jokes with which they meet their Indian hosts.

It is Indian custom, when visiting strangers, to bring some little gift and to make return for any present which may be received.  It is etiquette to pause a moment before speaking, to speak little and thoughtfully, with great respect for age, and never to contradict a guest no matter how mistaken he may be.  When the Indian assents to some distorted interpretation of designs on blanket or bowl he is merely following his own tradition of courtesy.  Sometimes he finds it impossible to explain in his meager English; often he has learned by experience that most white people are very ignorant of Indian custom, or have ideas derived from Cooper or the moving pictures, which it would be hopeless to contradict.

The alien who would understand Indian behavior must first see himself in a measure as he appears to the native.  He must exercise humility and have a patient willingness to learn.  Above all, he must pay the respect to Indian ideas, manners, and observance which is due to an ancient, deep-rooted social order.  Primitive and strange they may be, but nonetheless profoundly expressive of men’s earlier efforts to adjust themselves to an overwhelming Universe and to build up an orderly community.

Condition: paper cover shows wear at edges and spine. Paper label on title page identifies the book as the property of Alice C. D. Riley. Rubber stamp on inner back cover identifies seller as Oxford Bookshop.