Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/135

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130
THE PIMA INDIANS
[ETH. ANN. 26

Plates (pl. XIX, c, f) are now obtained from the Kwahadkʽs, but it is doubtful if the latter made them before the advent of the whites. They are polished and decorated in a manner similar to the cups.[1]

Fanciful figures of a variety of shapes are made by the Kwahadkʽs in imitation of American crockery, and the like, and are traded to the Pimas, who sometimes sell to gratify the desires of tourists for souvenirs, the seller being as ignorant of the fact that the buyer wishes to get specimens of Pima handiwork as the latter is of the fact that the ware is packed on the heads of women from the villages of another tribe 30 to 50 miles to the southward.

Two specimens (pl. XIX, d) were obtained from a Pima woman at Casa Blanca, who had "made them to sell," which have not the characteristic polish and the decoration of Kwahadkʽ ware. They are of interest because they show the Pima method of treatment of the human figure in clay modeling, and also the manner in which the face was painted. The larger effigy[2] has light brown lines on the body, both front and back, which represent a necklace, belt, skirt (perhaps), and what would seem to be the V-shaped opening at the neck of an upper garment. The face is painted in vertical stripes of red and blue, as was the custom with this tribe a few years ago. The front hair is represented on the forehead by prominent ridges.

The smaller effigy[3] has fewer lines on the face, and the body is undecorated.

From the ruins pottery spoons or ladles are sometimes taken which have apparently acquired magic import from the character of their source. These spoons are used in feeding the sick, and for no other


  1. The larger specimen figured is 264 mm. in diameter and 73 mm. high. The smaller is 212 mm. in diameter and 43 mm. high.
  2. Height, 212 mm.
  3. Height, 20 cm.