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Show i84 BASIS OP AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1500 Hopi or Mold towns in northwestern Arizona- namely, Mashongnivi, Shumopovi, Shupaulovi, Sichu-movi, Oraibi, and Walpi. Connected with certain of these towns, especially Zuni, Laguna, and Acoma, are a number of summer pueblos which are inhabited during the farming season, as they are nearer the fields, and hence eliminate the long journeys that must be taken morning and night by those living in the older towns. These may in time become permanent villages, as there is no longer anywhere necessity for protection from attack which the larger towns afforded. Physically, the Pueblo Indians are of short stature, with long, low head, delicate face, and dark skin. They are muscular and of great endurance, able to carry heavy burdens up steep and difficult trails, and to walk or even run great distances. It is said to be no uncommon thing for a Hopi to run forty miles over a burning desert to his cornfield, hoe his corn, and return home within twenty- four hours. Distances of one hundred and forty miles are frequently made within thirty- six hours. 1 In disposition they are mild and peaceable, industrious, and extraordinarily conservative, a trait shown in the fidelity with which they retain and perpetuate their ancient customs. Though the region inhabited by these peoples is arid, their main dependence is on agriculture. Fields of corn, melons, squashes, beans, chile, tobacco, etc., 1 James, Indians of the Painted Desert, 90. |
