Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/134

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RUSSELL]
ARTIFACTS
129

superseded by the cheap and scarcely less fragile metal ones of American manufacture. They were globular in form, and not provided with projections or loops for the attachment of straps. In fact, they were intended to be carried in the woman's kiâhâ; men on the warpath or traveling far from water must learn to endure thirst, but the women when compelled to go far for wood or cactus fruit were accustomed to carry water in these canteens. The vessels were sometimes broken, and Sala Hina told us of such an experience in which she nearly perished of thirst before she reached the river, though she had gone but a few miles from home. Canteens were decorated in a variety of patterns, including human figures.[1]

What may be termed a parching pan (pl. XIX, a) is made for roasting grains preparatory to grinding them for pinole. It is a large oval shallow dish with margin extended at ends for handles.[2]

A tortilla baking plate (pl. XIX, b) is sometimes seen. It is nothing more than a slightly concave undecorated disk.[3]

Cups were seldom made of clay; dippers of gourd or bowls of basketry were lighter and less perishable. It is probable that most of the few cups of Indian manufacture now to be found among the Pimas were obtained from the Kwahadkʽs or the Papagos. They are so highly polished as to appear to be glazed and are usually decorated with geometric designs to which no meaning can be ascribed by their makers.[4]


  1. There are three specimens in the collection. Pl. XVIII, c is 0.195 m. high, 0.600 m. in circumference, with an opening at the top 31 mm. in diameter. Pl. XVIII, d is 0.135 m. high, 0.365 m. in circumference, and has an opening 29 mm. in diameter. Pl. XVIII, e is a double-necked canteen.
  2. Represents a pan that is 0.445 m. long, 0.354 m. wide, 0.117 m. high.
  3. The collection contains one of these plates, which is 0.350 m. in diameter and stands 63 mm. high.
  4. Pl. XIX, e, represents a cup which was made by the Kwahadkʽs and traded to the Pimas. It is 84 mm. high and 84 mm. in diameter.
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