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1: Cushing in Zuni
- University of New Mexico Press
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17 CHAPTER ONE Cushing in Zuni Inthefallof1875,JohnWesleyPowell,anexperiencedexploreroftheSouth- west, conducted a geological survey for the United States government. HejourneyedthroughtheGrandCanyontotheisolatedHopipueblosin Arizona. In Oraibi, where he encountered“unsightly” homes and“filthy” streets,thepeoplewere“veryhospitable”andwomendemonstrated“great skillinceramicart.”Inthis“desertland,”herealized,theIndianspossessed “avaststoreofmythology,andanelaborateceremoniousreligion.”Evidently intriguedasheheardtalesdrawnfromtheir“unwrittenbible,”Powellwondered :whoisthis“strangepeople,”whoseoriginswereshroudedinmystery? Notinghow“Biblestoriesarecompoundedwithnativestories”inPueblolore, hefounditunderstandablethatAmericansmightbelievethatPuebloIndians were“descendantsofthelosttribesofIsrael.”1 Powellrememberedhispueblovisit.Severalyearslater,aschiefofthe BureauofEthnology,anewbranchoftheSmithsonianInstitution,heauthorized Col.JamesStevenson,hisformerassociateinthegeologicalsurvey,to leadanexpedition“tomakeascarefulastudyascircumstanceswillpermit ofthePuebloruinsandcaves.”Itshouldincludecollectionsofartifactsrepresenting “theartsandindustriesoftheinhabitants”;photosanddrawings oftheIndianswithscenesofdailylife;andaninvestigationoftheirlanguage ,customs,habits,myths,governance,andarchitecture.Powellbelieved thatgovernmentsponsorshipofsuchanexpeditionwouldbeanimportant 18 CHAPTER ONE contribution to the“new science” of anthropology, while simultaneously providingapersuasiverationalefornationalIndianpolicy.2 ThedirectoroftheSmithsonian,SpencerF.Baird,supervisedayoung protégéwhoseemeddestinedforjustsuchanexpedition.Asaprecociousand independentboygrowingupinwesternNewYork,FrankHamiltonCushing’s earlyinterestinIndianartifactswasstimulatedwhenaCushingfamilyplowman unearthedanarrowhead,tellinghim,“Indiansmadethat.”Thisformative experienceinspiredyoungCushingtoexploreIndianhistoryandculture inhisownway,seldomattendingformalschool.Withhisbrother,Cushing builtawigwam,whichtheboysinhabitedfordaysatatimewhiletheyforaged forIndianartifacts,gatheringarrowheads,beads,andpotteryshards. TobetterunderstandthetechniquesofIndiancraftsmanship,Cushingeven attemptedtoreproducebyhandtheartifactsthathefound.“IfIwouldstudy anyold,lostart,”helaterexplained,“Imustmakemyselftheartisanofit.” Baird,wholearnedaboutCushing’sadventuresfromamutualfamilyfriend, invitedtheteenageexplorertopublishapaperonhiscollectionofartifacts intheAnnualReportoftheSmithsonianInstitution.Threeyearslater,after abriefsojournasastudentatCornell,CushingjoinedtheSmithsonianstaff. DespitehisethnographicworkfortheCentennialExpositioninPhiladelphia, itdidnottakelongforhimtofeelstultifiedbyhis“sociallydead,morally dead,intellectuallydead”lifeinWashington.3 “Onehotsummerdayin1879,”Cushingrecalled,“asIwassittinginmy officeintheivy-mantledoldSouthToweroftheSmithsonianInstitution,a messengerboytappedatmydoor.”ProfessorBairdaskedtoseehim.“Haven’t IheardyousayyouwouldliketogotoNewMexicotostudythecliff-houses andPuebloIndians?”Bairdinquired.HearingCushing’senthusiasticreply, BairdtoldhimtobepreparedwithinfourdaystojointheStevensonexpedition toZuni.“Iwantyoutofindoutallyoucanaboutsometypicaltribeof PuebloIndians.”Bairdadvisedhim:“Useyourownmethods;onlygetthe information.”4 PhotographedjustbeforeheleftWashington,Cushingwaseverybitthe effeteEasternerindulginghisWesternfrontierfantasies(fig.2).Withhishair neatlypartedandcombed,wearingafineshirt,silkcravat,andgaiters,his belt-knifeandrifle(restingonneatlyfoldedgloves)seemmorelikepropsfor aperformancethangenuineweapons.Posingagainstaleafystudiobackdrop, holdinganotepadandpen,hewastheembodimentofayoungEasterngentleman primedforthechallengeofhisjourneyintomanhood.Ifthisphoto [3.12.41.106] Project MUSE (2024-04-25 05:43 GMT) 19 CUSHING IN ZUNI fig.2.“FrankHamiltonCushingBeforeHisDeparturetoZuni,” NationalAnthropologicalArchives,SmithsonianInstitution(80–9479). 20 CHAPTER ONE capturedCushing’s“culturalpointofdeparture,”asJesseGreensuggests,“its paleandEasternmanner”alsorevealshow...