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Show THE RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF KOLHU/WALA:WA TO THE ZUNI PEOPLE by Ben Kallestewa, Head Komosona The prime interest of the Zuni people in general, and the Zuni religious leaders in particular is to carry on religious activities at Kolhu/wala:va. They have no interest in developing it for economic gain, for finding coal or any other minerals there. Kolhu/wala:wa has been used by the Zunis since ancient times, long before any white people came to the area. We still use it today and it is a vital part of the Zuni religion. The prime interest is in practicing /I their religion as they have known it for time immemorial. So, the interest of the Zuni people is religious. That is the only function which Kolhu/wala:wa has for the Zuni people, and it is what they expect to be for the lifespan of the Zuni Indian Tribe. The religious leaders' only economic interest is to utilize plantlife (willows for prayer sticks and cattails), minerals (small bags of pink and yellow clay which is used for the Kokko), and animal life > (turtles), all for religious purposes. After the time when Kolhu/wala:wa was created, the Zuni people moved pxr&j-y-becaustr o.fcX^a rcf irt-wa anT f^l t iwanna, the Middle Place, which the Sun Father had instructed them to find. Finally they settled in the Middle Place, but always they have gone back to Kolhu/wala:wa to communicate with the Kokko who reside there. It is not just a matter of going there, and not everyone can go. If the Zuni religious leaders decide to go to Kolhu/wala:wa it requires much preparation, with many prayers, a good heart, and even then no^ anybody can go there, only a select few with have religious duties and obligations -a»d can go. They have to go through the religious practices of prayer, cutting prayer sticks to give to their spiritual Off*-" fathers at Kolhu/wala:wa, and they must fast. If "Tine goes to Kolhu/wala:wa without the proper preparation (cutting prayer sticks and making offerings), something bad might happen to them. So it is a very sacred site to the Zuni people. It is the basis of their Kokko religion, which is actively practiced by the Zuni people today. A second function of Kolhu/wala:wa is to serve as a place where all deceased Zuni people go. One of the most important things to know is that the Zuni religious |
