Page:The Pima Indians.pdf/190

] ing the natural independence of the women, they made an effort to retain the affection of worthy husbands, and even resorted to suicide when deserted. Moreover, the desirability of lasting unions was recognized by some, as, for example, by the father of wise old Sala Hina. "Work well at home," he told her, "Go not to others for the morsel they must needs in hospitality bestow, and then when you serve faithfully your husband he will provide well for you. If the husband you choose proves to be lazy do not desert him; work in the field with him; help and encourage him."

Further evidence in support of the fact that the Pimas were not a degenerate race at the time of the introduction of the white man's whisky and diseases is found in the size of their families. As many as twelve children have been known in a single family, and twins are received with general rejoicing. Every inhabitant of the village brings gifts and the mother feels assured that she will henceforth be a fortunate woman. Male children were preferred, because "they would grow up to fight Apaches." With the consent of the parents deformed infants were taken by the midwife, who watched them until they died of exposure and want of nourishment. So strong was the feeling of the Pimas against the abnormal that they tried in recent years to kill a grown man who had six toes.

Tribal pride is sufficiently strong to induce the Pimas to destroy infants of American or Mexican fathers in the same manner as those which are deformed. The writer learned of but two persons who had escaped such a fate. Inquiries concerning albinos met with the reply that "there never were any." Probably such a child would share the same fate as that accorded any other exhibiting abnormal characteristics.

A pregnant woman was not allowed to eat anything that an animal had touched. For example, if a gopher had cut a vine on which a melon was ripening, she might not eat the fruit; or, if the mice nibbled at a basket of wheat she might not eat of the tortillas made therefrom. She dared not go where Apaches had been killed, or the baby would die. If her husband killed a rattlesnake at that time, her child's stomach would swell and it would die soon after birth. She must not eat liver or her child would he disfigured by birthmarks.

During confinement the husband absented himself from the home and women friends attended the patient, who sat over a hole in the floor in which a cloth had been spread. The placenta was buried in a hole and covered with ashes. The mother bathed in the river immediately after delivery, and until the umbilicus of the child was healed she dared not eat salt. At times much pain was suffered, and some died