The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-04-22
How the Girls and Boys Dsnce in
sved gs Malay. 9aa 4ta

A writer in the January st. Nich-
olas gives ali interesting account of
Some Malayan Dances" The writer
and party were cordially received by
the Sultan Selim, q somewhat unusual
thing with foreigners, and after n
sumptuous repast the Sultan's bands
of graceful dancing girls were called
III to dance. w i.tii
"Every one," says the writer, "was
crowned with natural flowers, and
each wore, in addition, a massive
wreath, that was passed oyer the left
shoulder, and under the right arm,
extending far down below the knees.
These wreaths, we soon learned, were
not designed merely or mainly for or
nament. They were very compactly
formed of cvergreens. and the tiny
buds OF fragrant flowers, such as
would not fall to pieces readily; and
each danseuse used her wreath very
much as little girls sometimes use a
hoop in such games as 'thread-tlie-
needle and running the gauntlet"
In truth, one of these Malayan dances
was almost identical with the latter
game, as i used TO play it in my
school-days-with only the difference
that these Orientals used their flower
wreaths to jump through, instead of
the less graceful hoap. And let me
tell you, 1t was a pretty sight to
watch a dozen of these bright-eyed
Malayan girls in their fower-crowns
and short, picturesque dresses, chas-
ing one another through whole line
of wreathed arches that were held in
place, each by a holder on either side,
the flying leapers clearing each
wreath at a bound, without the pause
OF second.
SIN one of the dances the girls
twirled rapidly around in circle, the
wreatls were thrown from one neck
to another in twinkling, and so COM
pletely in accord were tile move
ments, that there was seldom q neck
carrying either two or none. The en-
tertainment closed by the entire COM
pany, with hand Joined in hand,
dancing in graceful ring around the
Sultan and each, as she came vis-d vi,
with the great man, laid her wreath
and crown, with profound salaam,
at his feet, and again Joined her COM
panions, Then all passed out, leav-
ing behind two huge pyramids OF
lovely natural flowers, that loaded the
air with fragrance.
eSo,ne girls and boys acted com
ical little farce and the pretty, girl
ish performers were very fancitully
dressed. But / thought the game
scarcely fair one. For each dainty
damsel would single out one of hel
boy admirers, ana invite his approach
by offering him a flower, or holding
o6t her hand toward him, and then
tho moment he came within arm
length, she would throw bon-bon il
his face, and retreat behind her com
panions, who all joined her in laugh
ing merrily at the youths discomfi
ture. The last we saw ofthem thu
whole group were dancing gayly be
meath a live palm.tree, and the mex
| Ionnon, traa madame oni oil diesn
Us ,an.,.nd ono tnew how or wher,
pea,o ,ess "yn S;d @ ~, Tho ot;ves bow
cns,. wIo are nseJ - smcb wonder
fnl feats took fhc disannea,ance ver,
coollv. bnt omr nnacc,,siomed eve
gazed with untold wonder nj tile va.
can't space: where. but a moment be.
fore we had seen growing. in tropi,
Iuxuriance. this mammoth tree
loaded with leaves. fruits. ana flow
ers..
| "At a later day we had an oppoi
| tunity of witnessing the sword-danc,
TN rur svopn NANCE
nv, nIa 80 - Z, ,,.,,, Ca,
ne ooys are l'ggeu 1u, III seis iuu i,,.
'as.lc costumes. ,neir mus esp1o,ali =
wnion ato ia,0isui'y auonS o,nnaS h;na' ,
:ne plunase =, iIly ogviUsS vnu = =,
, lnle,lning,eu ~ WI, WIN .s u.'sns a" s,snd -.
levels, .no oay k'tt.hs wvapVhs uo",hr,, uS.u e.
woouen smo."T, .,,o..o.,,', u"s ..' son..aa,
syIna's' 's,, so., suo ano soioue oue,hsr w;.h q,
. an" lusm s,, upSn roaI onI 'nMha,ar,s ] ,hs;
.ne IVY =. 'S saros,,, a"a',i,s;r dsrI
es.s sioas s,,o ,1;,,n s;,a,nant The
,av'I .m hssu,a;"l sUMa ,ho;r r Smnrd. with araa
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