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158
THE PIMA INDIANS
[ETH. ANN. 26

able for winter blankets was rabbit skins, which were cut in strips and braided together in the manner customary among so many American tribes.

During the Spanish and Mexican régime the sombrero found favor, and even yet the steeple crown of this head gear may occasionally be seen. The women adopted a sleeveless chemise, which they wear to some extent to-day; it is shown in plate XXXVIII, b, though usually no longer worn by a woman so young. A few women also follow the Mexican fashion of covering their heads with improvised mantillas—usually towels or aprons—as shown in figure 5, where the costumes of a group of both sexes are well shown. This view was taken at the agency, and as they were unaware of the author's presence with the camera, which was kept concealed, the posing was perfectly natural. When the summer heat begins to be felt the older men strip to the breechcloth, as shown in plate XXXVII, a, b, when they are about their homes.

ESTHETIC ARTS

Personal Decoration

The Pimas of to-day are rapidly adopting the personal adornments of their civilized neighbors. With the exception of the manner of treating the hair, the old methods of enhancing personal beauty have been almost entirely abandoned. Judging from the statements made by the old people, this art could never have reached the development among the Pimas that it did among the Pueblos. Their status recalls that of the Yuman tribes on the great river to the westward.

Pride of person manifested itself among the men in the care of the hair and the elaboration of the designs painted upon the skin. Feathers and beads were also worn in abundance. When through uncleanly habits a man became too filthy his associates said "skulof," "He smells like an old man." But the whole tribe has a characteristic odor that is easily detected by the nasal organs of the whites; even the school children who are regularly bathed and well clothed exhibit this characteristic.

HAIR

Men wore their hair long (see pl. XLIII, c); that of the old chief Tiahiatam reached to his heels when he stood upright, but usually the hair fell about to the waist. At the age of 20 the young men began to braid or twist their hair into skeins, which retained the hairs shed—and other things besides—a marvelously convenient abiding place for microbes. It was the fashion to wear the skeins cut squarely across at the bottom, and they did not scruple to piece out their shorter locks with hair from the tails of their horses. Sometimes, indeed, they even added the hair of their women, who trimmed