The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-08-17
DANCING IN MEXICO.
sO1cminity ~ Mali AO0mi C9repiidmics-
No TalhAmt AIl0ytcds

No Talhfnf Allowed
It must be confessed, writes a CORE
spondent OF the New York Times, that
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 mr.
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 stated night there will he a bale It
. 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 he
a. welcome as the don in his best attire.
Nevertheless, most Of the people who
attend the bale have done something for
the Letterment Of their customary APP
pearance. The women are dressed in
the same style Of magnifcence 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-
manding 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 4
shade lighter than usual. The ballroom
is not imposing either by its size or dec
orations. Each townlet has some one
room which, by reason Of its broad floor
and superior dimensions, is recognized
. the regular place for social festivities.
Benches and . 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 il in
readiness for the ball to 90 on. The
music is that of a fiddle and m accord
ion, sometimes Of both, when the village
rejoices in the musicos. Although the
Mexi an 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 o 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 blunt admonition to the
effect that dancing and not talking
should be the present business in hand.
And the Mexicans themselves dance az
il in fact they were engaged in some very
grave and rather doleful ceremony. Al
q note given Is signal by the musician,
such men as propose engaging in the
quadrille, or whatever may be the dance
announced, walk solemn1y across the
room aud hold out each Q hand to his
chosen partner. Then, in all silence,
they take their places on the floor, and
the music begins. There is no "callinp
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 capsring is habi,
Of Mexican dancing. Sober ponderosity
reminding one Of the terpsichorean per
formances of the trained elephant in Q
circus, is the prevailing characteristic o
the movements of the women rs wen q
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 seat,
with an air Is If they we're coniding deal
friends to the grave, aud then return t.
the mems part of the room.