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Show from the home of the Council of the Gods. While near the lake the Stevensons also visited Koyemshi Mountain. Mrs. Stevenson reported the Zunis' beliefs about the cave on the summit of Korkokshi Mountain, "that there is a direct passageway from this cave to the dwelling place of the Council of the Gods in the depth of the lake, and that, opening from this passageway, there are four chambers, equal distances apart, where those privileged to enter the underground road may rest on their journey to and from the lake." But she called the Zunis' beliefs "humbug," and said that she, her husband and H. L. Turner had entered the cave themselves without the result of reaching Kolhu/walatwa. A stone which was carefully placed to conceal the entrance to this shallow cave was removed . . . and two of his party and himself, including the writer, succeeded in squeezing in to the depth of 16 feet. At the end of this passageway they found a space of not more than 3 feet. It was examined carefully by candlelight, and it was discovered that nothing of any size could pass beyond. The Stevensons did discover a number of prayer sticks deposited in the cave. 132 Some years later Mrs. Stevenson published another account of that visitt 133 Having heard of the wonderful cave in this mountain, our little party visited the place, prepared to explore it. Mr. Stevenson and H. L. Turner entered the fissure in the rock and squeezed through the 132. Stevenson, 1904 og. cit., pp. 148-162. It should be noted that the Zunis believe that only their religious leaders can travel down this sacred cave, and then only if the world is in order and the travelers have good hearts. 133. Stevenson, Mrs. Tillie E. (Matilda Coxe) "The Religious Life of the Zuni Child," Fifth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1883-84; GPO; Washington, D. C; 1887; pp. 539-545, quoted at 542. - 88 - |
