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Show 402 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY Chama, and San Juan. On the night of the 12th he was attacked by the Utes, on the San Antonio river, losing eight of his men. He (Am 2060 eagle was his principal helper. He soon became a great wizard, and the people of his village grew very rich in corn, turquoises, shells and other valuable objects. His fame spread, and he exercised a sort of power over many of the Pueblos, which, however, does not appear to have gone beyond that of a magician. . . After remaining the great Shaman of the Tehuas for a long time he once went to the pueblo of Yuge-uingge (Chamita) in disguise. The people were on the point of celebrating one of their dances, and failed to recog: nize the powerful medicine-man. So he grew angry, and pronounced a dire curse on what he considered an ungrateful pueblo, returned to Pose-uingge, where he disappeared. Such is the Indian part of the tale. What is told of the wizard’s journey to the south is a modern tradition. The Montezuma story as told to me by one of the Queres at Cochiti, contains the details of his journey to the south. Another friend, a Tehua of San Juan, also stated to me that Pose-ueve went as far as the vicinity of El Paso del Norte in Chihuahua. He said he was accompanied by his sister, Navi-Tua, and that she followed him on Christmas. Christmas in Spanish is ‘Pascua de Natividad,’ and the word ‘Navitua’ is suspiciously like the Spanish word. The full details of the Montezuma legend, however, are found in a queer document, entitled Historia de Montesuma (Ms.), composed in Mexico in the year 1846, about the time of the breaking out of the Mexican war, which embodies, together with much nonsense purporting to be history, some of the original tales about Pose-ueve. Still many of the Pueblos of to-day believe it, and the name of Montezuma is familiar to all of them. Those ‘who know,’ however, members of esoteric societies, and principally the great Shamans, smile at the foreign impor tation and foreign dress, and discriminate between the Pose-ueve of their ancestors and later additions to his biography.’’ The legend of Montezuma is as follows: Montezuma was born at the pueblo of Tehua-yo of a young virgin, to whom was given three pifiones, one of them to be eaten by herself, and two reserved for the sustenance of herself and grandmother. From the one which she ate, this great monarch was conceived and brought forth, and who, through the will of the Great Spirit, upon arriving at years of discretion, gained distinction and renown. In youth he was not well thought of among his people or kindred. He was poor, and led a vagabond life, was unprepossessing in person, ‘‘slobber-mouthed,’’ and obnoxious in his habits. It happened during this period of his life that the cacique of his pueblo died, and that upon the assembling of the principales to elect a success0, they, after repeated councils, failing to agree, finally decreed that the young men of the pueblo should elect. The latter determined the choice by chance, and the honor fell upon the despised Montezuma. The office of cacique, it must be remembered, is one of great responsibility, and is sought to be filled by those noted for their knowledge of tribal lore, and for their wisdom and prudence. The selection, most naturally, was at first received with ridicule and derision. ee, D9. oe Bay $e” yo te CREO NAG #i ee ahi Caterer ; islteh Y 3 #. . rt S ‘ $ pe hom ? (0b: Moen ERNE A é s 4. ee Le BLE aid od a c oe & gil te dey te SEO ‘cae d Gs ae” Ee Op 3 * &e ? “ coat: : The despised youth, however, surprised and neutralized the revolting spirits by at once giving assurances that they should catch the small game with thelt hands, and the large game would deliver themselves to their control, a8 they would witness upon the first day of the next chase. Near the dawn of the day upon which the latter had been designated, ae Great Spirit, appearing eee, ee ie r to the why new cacique, art thou and cast finding down?’’ him sad, spake _ Answering, encour he es r my soul possesseth me in tribulation; this is the day ate the chase, and I, as cacique, must lead. I know not how it may come ‘e pass among And theGo Great despair, thou myshaltpeople.’’? be successful. to thySpirit, cabin answering, and search said: for the iblankeio ' of Don Diego de Vargas, contal #ac-simile of Page from Journal ies at time of Reconquest Ceremon to Ing entry relative |
