Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-03
DANCING IN MEXICO.
SosesMnity OH EsaIl Room Ceremonies -
NO Taking Allowed.


Soses,anity Oh EsaIl Room Ceremonies
NO Talking Allowed.
It must be confessed, writes CORE
spondent of the New York Times, that a
rural "dance in New Mexico is most
dismal affair, but that the active partici-
pants in such entertainments derive some
sort of enjoyment therefrom is proved by
the frequency with which bales are ar
ranged THERE'S not much preliminary
formality about these rural gatherings.
Whoever feels the spirit of dancing
strong within him engages the services
of the village musicians and sends forth
word to the neighborhood at large that
on q stated night there will be bale 1T
q given house. Everybody is free to
come without further ceremony. There
are no restrictions of fashion as to cost
ume. The sheep herder in his patched
overalls and cowhide moccasins will be
as welcome as the don in his best attire.
Nevertheless, most of the people who
attend the bale have done something for
the bettermeDt of their customary ap-
pearance. The women are dressed in
the same style of nlagnifcence which we
have seen at the horse race, and to their
white shirts the men have added paper
collars and bright-colored neckties, the
knots OF which persist in working around
under the wearers' ears.
Mexican etiquette is not strict in de-
handing washed faces and hands under
any circumstances, but there are at least
some among the company who have gone
through the motions Of ablution, and
whose compilations are consequently a
shade lighter than usual. The ballroom
is not imposing either by it's size or dec
orations. Each townlet has some one
room which, by reason of its broad floor
and superior dimensions, is recognized
as the regular place for social festivities.
Benches and a few chairs are ranged
round the sides, half dozen candles
stuck into bottles and other candelabra
improvised for the occasion are fastened
to the walls, and then everything is in
readiness for the ball to go on. The
music is that of fiddle and an accord
ion, sometimes of both, when the village
rejoices in the musicos. Although the
Mexican musician is self taught, he is
often able to produce quite tolerable
sounds from his instrument, some allow
ance being made for the cheap quality
of the latter. At all events he plays well
enough to content his audience. Ex-
cept when actually dancing the men and
women do not mingle. The women seat
themselves at one end of the room, and
the men cluster at the other end.
Nor is conversation between partners
in dance permissible. A Mexican
who should see his wife or daugh-
ter talking with her partner while
dancing would at once suspect
that some intrigue was Matching between
the pair under cover of the noise of the
music and dancers feet. Americans who
are not familiar with ways of Mexicans,
and those who are aware of the interdic-
[! ton against conversation but who choose
to trespass against the rules are likely to
meet with a blunt admonition to the
effect that dancing and not talking
should be the present business in hand.
And the Mexicans themselves dance as
if in fact they were engaged in some very
grave and rather doleful ceremony. At
| note given as signal by the musician,
such men as propose engaging in the
quadrille, or whatever may be the dance
announced, walk solemnly across the
room aud hold out each hand to his
chosen partner. Then, in all silence,
they take their places on the floor, and
the music begins. There is no ''calling
Off of figures as is the custom among
rustic Americans. All the dancers know
what to do, and they do it with serious
deliberation. Neither dawdling indiffer-
ence nor frolicsome capering is habit
of Mexican dancing. Sober ponderosity,
reminding one of the terpsichorean per-
formances of the trained elephant in a
circus, is the prevailing characteristic OF
the movements of the women as well as
the men. The dancers are oppressively
observant of time and the proper step,
and all move together with the precision
of machinery. When the music ceases
the lads hand the lasses to their seats
with an air as if they were confding dear
friends to the grave, and then return to
the mems part of the room.