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Show gods. The overland trail is marked with important religious places visited every four years. Wetsak'yaya Onnane, literally "Barefooted Trail" is the route from the central Zuni village to Kolhu/walatwa. Zuni artist Alex Seowtewa, although he had never been on a pilgrimage, described the trail and its meaningt 33 It's the same trail that was established ever since the existence of Kolhu/walatwa. Every four years a pilgrimage takes the same route, although some parts are kind of changed. . . ., but it's same route, just the same general route. . . . The name Wetsak'yaya Onnane comes from the fact, according to Mr. Seowtewa, that when buried, Zunis are not dressed in moccasins for the burial. When Zunis prepare bodies for burial they are not allowed to have any leather clothing, even the smallest amount touching the body. After death the person takes the Barefoot Trail to Kolhu/walatwa. Mr. Seowtewa reported that departed Zunis who are passing down the Barefoot Trail can be heard either crying or singing, depending on the situation they leave in the earthly realm. 34 A lot of these people that had used the grazing area on both sides of this trail from here to Ojo Caliente, especially up to that point, heard some signs of people who died here. If somebody is up there herding sheep nearby where that trail is they usually hear sounds in the predawn when they open the doors. For the soul-for the spirit to leave permanently his or her residence, they usually hear a sign of 33. Seowtewa, Alex Interview by E. Richard Hart, February 13, 1986, Zuni, New Mexico, transcription, Tape #2, pp. 1-5. The purpose of the four year pilgrimage, said Mr. Seowtewa, is to maintain the center of the earth at Zuni. As he sees it, the pilgrimage establishes the connection between the place of emergence and Zuni. "Instead of going that long distance for our people to go in the future, they established Kolhu/walatwa which will be not too far off from our Halonatwa." 34. Ibid. - 24 - |
