| Courier of the Gods |
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enter Zuni Pueblo during the Winter Solstice ceremonies. Shalako is about nine feet tall and is probably the best
known of all the Zuni Kachinas. It is the provider of all seed grains used by the Zuni people. Salimopia
Itapanahnan'ona is only one of twelve Salimopia Kachinas. They appear as guards for the other Winter Solstice
Kachinas. They punish ceremonial transgressions. Because their breath brings the wind, they never appear
during the summer months. The Shalako ceremony takes place in late November or early December. Once
open to the general public, the Shalako Ceremony is now closed to just Indians, due to the general feeling, by
the Zuni, that the visitors had not acted respectfully toward their religious ceremonies.
