The fetiches of the Coyote, or God of the West, and his younger
brothers, represented on Plate V, are called Tethl-po-k'ia, an archaic
form of the modern word Sus-k'i we-ma-we (Coyote fetiches), from
_tethl-nan_,=a sacred prayer-plume, and _po-an_,=an object or locality
on or toward which anything is placed, a depository, and _k'ia_=the
active participle. They are usually distinguished by horizontal or
slightly drooping tails, pointed or small snouts, and erect ears.
Although the Coyote of the West is regarded as the master of the Coyotes
of the other five regions, yet, in the prayers, songs, and recitations
of the Sa-ni-a-k'ia-kwe, and Prey Brother Priesthood, the Coyote of the
North is mentioned first. I therefore preserve the same sequence
observed in describing the Mountain Lion fetiches.
The fetich of the yellow Coyote (Sus-k'i thlup-tsi-na), of the North, is
represented in Plate V, Fig. 1. The original is of compact white
limestone stained yellow. The attitude is that of a coyote about to
pursue his prey (la-hi-na i-mo-na), which has reference to the
intemperate haste on the part of this animal, which usually, as in the
foregoing tradition, results in failure.
The fetich of the blue Coyote, of the West (Sus-k'i
lo-k'ia-na--signifying in reality blue gray, the color of the coyote,
instead of blue=thli-a-na), is shown, in Plate V, Fig. 2. This fetich is
also of compact white limestone, of a yellowish gray color, although
traces of blue paint and large turkois eyes indicate that it was
intended, like Plate III, Fig. 3, to represent the God of the West.
The fetich of the red Coyote (Sus-k'i a-ho-na), of the South, is
represented by Plate V, Fig. 4, which, although of white
semi-translucent calcite, has been deeply stained with red paint.
[Illustration: THE COYOTE FETICHES OF THE CHASE--HUNTER GOD OF THE
WEST.]
[Illustration: WILD CAT FETICHES OF THE CHASE--HUNTER GOD OF THE
SOUTH.]
Two examples of the fetich of the white Coyote (Sus-k'i k'o-ha-na), of
the East, are shown in Plate V, Figs. 4 and 5. They are both of compact
white limestone. The first is evidently a natural fragment, the feet
being but slightly indicated by grinding, the mouth by a deep cut
straight across the snout, and the eyes by deeply drilled depressions,
the deep groove around, the neck being designed merely to receive the
necklace. The second, however, is more elaborate, the pointed chin,
horizontal tail, and pricked-up ears being distinctly carved, and yet in
form the specimen resembles more a weasel than a coyote.
The fetich of the many-colored Coyote (Sus-k'i i-to-pa-nah-na-na), of
the Upper regions, is reproduced in Plate V, Fig. 6, which represents
the male and female together, the latter being indicated merely by the
smaller size and the shorter tail. They are both of aragonite. This
conjoined form of the male and female fetiches is rare, and is
significant of other powers than those of the hunt.
The black Coyote (Sus-k'i shi-k'ia-na), of the Lower regions, is
represented by Plate V, Fig. 7, the original of which is of compact
white limestone or yellowish-gray marble, and shows traces of black
paint or staining.