Identifier: annualreportofbu117smit (find matches)
Title: Annual report of the Bureau of American Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology
Subjects: Smithsonian Institution. Bureau of American Ethnology Ethnology Indians
Publisher: Washington : U. S. Govt. Print. Off.
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Kahle/Austin Foundation and Omidyar Network

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ments were not located. The geologic con-ditions are such that the ochers are undoubtedly abundant; but it isprobable that the gypsum is uncommon and confined to a remote local-ity or two, and that the dumortierite is rare and scanty here as else-where. The care with which the paints are preserved, prepared, andapplied, the fact that they are indispensable feminine appurtenanceseven on the longest journeys, aud their sacred role in the mortuarycustoms, all combine to indicate that they are among the most highlyprized possessions of the people and by far the most xjrecious of theirminerals. The sematic, functions of the designs are esoteric, yet an inkling oftheir meaning was obtained through Masheni, the interpreter at CostaEica in 180-t; from his expressions it appears that the designs aresacred insignia of toteinic character, serving to denote the clans ofwhich the tribe is composed. 15ut three clans were identified, and BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT PL. XXV
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SERI MAIDEN MCGEE) FUNCTIONS OF THE DESIGNS 1G7* these only with some uncertainty, viz, the Turtle clan, denoted by the.symbols of Juaua Maria (plate xviii) and Candelaria (plate xxiv andthe upper left figure in plate xxvi); the Pelican clan, denoted by thedesigns of two typical matrons (plates xx and xxri) and a typicalmaiden (plate xxv), and probably also by those of the niediolateralfigures in idate xxvi; and (still less certainly) the Rattlesnake clan,denoted by the symbol of the lower left figure in this plate. Thespecial sematic values of the colors also are esoteric, and were notascertained; even in the case of the simple pelican design, the differ-ence in meaning between the solid red pattern of one group and thesimilar pattern of white in another group was successfully concealed.So, too, the significance of the various subordinate or supplementarydevices—the distinct borderline shown in plate xx, the lower cheekdevices in i)late xxiv, the separate chin mark in plate xxv, th

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