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Show ZUNIS PREPARE FOR OLDBITES SUNT, N. M., Dec J OP Zuni j prepared Its gods in Icret rites: today for their annualfvisit next Monday to the land of l'oronado's fabled Seven CHies of CBola. Black-robed Indian braves and bright-shawled women of this western west-ern New Mexico pueblo1 will cele- brat the visit la the- feat of Shalako, night-long thanksgiving, housewannlng and year-enl prayer MmT The date for the feast, named for the six giant legendary vessen-gers vessen-gers who led the gods at their earthly pilgrimage, was set tentatively tenta-tively today by traders whs computed com-puted the time from the arrival of tha knobby-masked mudheads. Date to Be Given The council of gods, legendary rulers of the spirit world, will confirm con-firm the date probably Thursday. Zunl fathers today supervised finishing of the four houses the Bhalakos will Inhabit and dedicate en feast night A fifth new house will be dedicated by the council ef gods. The nine-foot-tall effigies, of the Bhalakos. decked with sacred trinkets trin-kets and Indian finery, snsp viciously their huge birdlike Desks as they lead the deities into the village. As soon as they are quartered quar-tered and feasted at the new houses, the village celebration begins. Throughout the night mutton, bread and Zuni dainties, like cars flrikes, are served free. Often 2000 ' Navajos and palefaces visit the vil- i lage. Traders estimate the feast costs $1900 or more. Dance Begins Throbbing tomtoms sound the beginning be-ginning of the dancing in each house about midnight and lasts until un-til the morning star appears. After a brief rest, the council of gods enacts a weird ritual Just at daw. 1 on the roof of their house and tht activities cease until midmorning. The Shalakos then lead the way back across the river, stage a race to display their godlike speed i and the procession slips quietly inU the hills south of Zuni. |