Music of Acoma, Isleta, Cochiti, and Zuñi Pueblos - Flutopedia.com

DENSMORB] PUEBLO MUSIC 29
found, becomes the fetish of the man who was struck by the Hghtning.
When treatmg a fracture he presses this over the affected part and
also uses it in setting a bone.
In his treatment of a fracture, such a man uses a spHnt from a tree
that has been struck by hghtning.
He binds the broken bone with
this spHnt and leaves it in place until the bone has had time to heal.
He then removes the splint and massages the flesh with medicine and
replaces the splint. He does not use grease in massaging the fracture,
which is the custom among the Sioux and Chippewa (cf. Densmore,
1918, p. 261, and Densmore, 193G b, pp. 334, 335).
WINTER DANCE SONGS
The Acoma call this the Zuni dance because it was obtained from that
Pueblo, but the Acoma have composed their own songs for it. The
dance is also called Bask, a term used in no other connection.
Midwmter is the time for this dance which is held in the village
plaza. It is a pleasure dance in which many young people take part.
There is no special costume, but both young men and girls carry a
branch of spruce m each hand, holding it erect as they dance. The
girls wear their best raiment, including buckskin sandals and wrappings
from ankle to knee; they also wear ceremonial blankets. The singers
usually number about 20 and the accompanying instrument is a drum
similar to that shown in plate 2, a, but larger. One man beats upon
it. The dancers form in a double line, two young men being followed
by two young girls, who, in turn, are followed by two young men, and
so on. The singers and the drummer walk beside them. The entire
company moves forward a distance of about 200 feet, then turns and
comes back again, the men and girls with a dancing step while the
singers walk near them. In dancing this distance they sing four songs
without stopping. Occasionally the dancers go back to rest in their
chamber.
Four songs comprise a set, as stated, and two songs of a set are
presented (Nos. 23, 24). Before singing these songs the singer
recorded a song that he designated as "oflicial," though used in a social
dance (No. 22). In its original connection this song was sung by a
field chief when going out to visit the country and, the sheep herders
at night. It was part of his duty to protect the tribe by this watchfulness.