Research Items

Abstract

The Nisenan.—Mr. A. L. Kroeber publishes in vol. 24, No. 4, of the University of California Publications in Archæology and Ethnology, a study of a section of the Nisenan or Southern Maidu. Those with whom he deals are the valley people, who differ from those of the hills, though the two groups are sometimes classed together, on the ground of their unity, of speech. In fact, Nisenan is not a specific tribal name, but is used in default of a native ethnic name. The Nisenan, now practically extinct, lived near Sacramento on the American and Feather Rivers. From the geographical and topographical information obtained, it was clear that native communications prevailingly followed the large streams, and therefore the ethnic outlook was directed towards the north and north-west within the Great Valley. The San Joaquin portion of the Valley was foreign. It seems that the groups tended to segregate themselves according to physiographic areas. Their dwellings were earth-covered, but at the mouth of Feather River they were tule-covered. They used as boats balsas made of tule and an approach to the canoe in the form of a log raft. Clothing comprised bark or tule aprons and duck feather blankets for the women, round shawls of tule for the men, and occasionally moccasins of buckskin. Their weapons were the bow with arrow points of obsidian, a spear of willow, used only in war, and a sling. The chief was selected when he was young, and succession was usually from father to son. Marriage within the village was not forbidden. Those who died of disease were cremated; but those killed in war were buried, as were also small children. A bear skin and ornaments were put on a dead person so that he should not trouble his living kin. The Kuksu cult or religious organisation comprised two societies with separate initiations. One was confined to men, the other took in a limited number of men and women. The dances were held in the summer in the dance house. The members of the te'me'ya ceremony or society wore a white ornament in the septum of the nose, which was bored for the purpose.