This year, the Othole family, is rebuilding their “old house” at Ona:we, which will be used as one of the host homes for this winter solstice’s festivities. They started in August of 2008 by tearing down the old “old house” and as the festivities get closer and closer, they’re starting to see the outcome of their back breaking work. Here is a look at a typical weekend in Zuni.
Each morning begins with the preparation of the day’s meals that will feed the men who help the Othole family rebuild at Ona:we. Rows of frybread dough sit and wait to be fried over an outside fire.
On a tight budget, two women help separate and organize new and used nails inside Ona:we.
Outside of Ona:we, like a game of Tetris, the men are laying down bricks for the outer walls. Each brick is specifically measured and carved for a specific spot.
The tools needed to cut and measure the stones: tape measure, chisel, hammer, level and gloves.
At lunch, the women serve the men a meal to help keep them working until the evening. Before every meal, a small offering of food is put aside for the na’na’kwes (ancestors).
These bricks were hauled from different quarries around the reservation. The men started laying the first bricks early this year during the chilly months and are bearing down under the September sun as the last of the bricks are finally set.
As the day comes to an end, Na’na (Grandpa) sits on the concrete entrance way and enjoys a Malboro cigarette.
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