Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/159

154 old custom of destroying the buildings at the death of their owners has practically disappeared, but its retarding influence upon architectural development continued throughout the aboriginal period.

Usually but one family occupies a single dwelling, though sometimes two and even three related families live together. If there are two, their sleeping mats are placed on each side of the entrance, so that in sleeping the heads may be toward the east, the door being on that side in order that the inmates may rise early to greet the Day god as he appears over the distant summits of the Sierra Tortilla. A more practical motive for placing the doors on the east side is to avoid the southwest winds which blow in the afternoon during nearly the entire year and which are especially strong during the month of March. The wind usually begins to blow at about 10 in the morning and increases to a velocity of 10 miles an hour by mid-afternoon, after which it decreases until midnight.

The general plan of the house is shown in the accompanying diagram, (fig. 76). The central supporting framework is usually entirely of cottonwood, though other timber is sometimes used. The lighter framework shown in plate, a, is of willow, on which is laid the arrowwood, cattail reeds, wheat straw, cornstalks, or similar material that supports the outer layer of earth.

The roof is supported by four crotched posts set in the ground 3 or 4 m. apart, with two heavy beams in the crotches. Lighter cross poles are laid on the last, completing the central framework. Light willow poles are set half a meter in the ground around the periphery of the circle, their tops are bent in to lap over the central roof poles, and horizontal stays are lashed to them with willow bark. The frame is then ready for the covering of brush or straw. Although earth is heaped upon the roof to a depth of 15 or 20 cm. it does not render it entirely waterproof. When finished the ki is very strong and capable of withstanding heavy gales or supporting the weight of the people who may gather on the roof during festivals.