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Show 12 Nuwuvi: A Southern Paiute History group of camps. This was true despite the fact that the leader may have been chosen to a position by members of the entire band. When a new leader was needed, it was common for the local group to call in men from the entire band for consultation.1 Although a relative of the preceding leader might be chosen, this was not necessary, and the position did not normally pass from father to son. The smaller bands naturally had fewer leaders, and the closer a band lived together, the more likely it was that it only had one leader. The two most important responsibilities which a leader had, were to lead hunting trips and to direct his people in their seasonal movements to different campsites. He roused the camp in the morning so that the day's activities could begin. He then led the hunting party to the area where the hunt was to occur, an area which he chose. If the hunt was to be cooperative instead of each hunter stalking his own game, he continued to direct the operation. This set of circumstances would normally apply to hunting larger game. Different leaders were often chosen to lead a rabbit hunt; quite often this was whoever owned rabbit nets. Still another type of leader was chosen to lead the celebrations and dances. He was responsible for deciding when the dance would be held and then organizing it. All the Nuwuvi made their living by hunting and gathering. Most bands also farmed to some degree, although its importance to their survival varied greatly from band to band. Some bands such as the Paguits fished, but this activity was, of course, limited to areas where there were good-sized lakes or rivers. In the entire Nuwuvi area there were only a handful of bodies of water of sufficient fish-bearing capacity to make the occupation worthwhile. Each season of the year had its specific activities. After the long winter, the spring was surely welcome and was a time of great activity. Along the streams, near lakes, and in the low hills the snow first melted and plant life once again grew. The Nuwuvi gathered the stems and leaves of the edible plants, which were cooked or eaten raw as greens.2 The early spring was always the most difficult part of the year. The stores from the previous fall had to be carefully stretched to last until new plants arrived. Plants like mescal which could be eaten at this time of year gained increased importance in Nuwuvi diet. Deer were often hunted as they migrated to higher |