Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-02-19
INDIAN DANCES.
Something About the Old Custom of IL
Aborigfnes of Yucatan.

Something About the Old Custom of the
Aborigines of Yucatan.
From time to time, during such fes-
rivals as the Izamal fair, Carnival, and
the like, an opportunity offers itself for
learning something about the old Gus
toms of the aborigines. The Indians
still remember some dances of their an
cestors, as well as few ceremonies,
which they perform on the sly, because
formerly the Spaniards punished them
for what they called idolatrous and SUI
perstitious rites.
One of their dances, called Irtol, is
especially interesting. being vestige of
sun-worship. Men and women take
part in the dance; provided the number
of each is equal, it matters not how
many. All have on masks, anciently
well made, to-day mere square pieces of
deer-skin with three holes cut for eyes
and mouth. Often these holes are so
much awry as to produce most ludi-
crous appearance, and none can
guess what the features be-
meath may be like. All wear san
dals. The women have necklaces,
principally of large red beads, and ear
rings, formerly noose-rings too, but
since the conquest these have been pro-
hibited. The chief, or master, as they
call him, wears a circular cap, stuck
all round with peacock's feathers,
making lofty, waving head-dress. In
front Of him, from his waist, hangs a
representation of the sun. In its GEN.
ter is an eye, inclosed by triangle,
from which depends large tongue.
All these things are symbols of most
ancient freemasonry. One carries a
white flag with sun painted on it and
man and woman worshipping it. An
other has a sacdtdn, kind of drum,
used also in Africa; another afiute; an
other sistr4na, a sacred instrument
among the ancient Egyptians. With
the sistrum he beats time for the
dancers. In the other hand he has q
small three-tailed whip, calling to
mind the Egyptian fagelluns of Osiris.
This is to chastise the dancers If they
step badly. A necklace of large sea-
shells hangs half way to his waist.
Each dancer has in the left hand a
fan made of turkey feathers, with the
birds claw for handle. In the right
hand each has sistrum, not quite like
those used by the Egyptians. but ex-
actly like those of Central Africa, as
described by Du Chaillu. Those in
Yucatan are made of small calabashes,
ornamentallv painted, and secured to
the handle by pieces of bamboo; they
have pebbles inside to rattle. The flag
is held upright by the bearer or planted
in the ground. Beneath it sits the
drummer, cross-legged, his drum on
the ground before him. Close to the
flagstaff stands the master, the con-
ductor, and the fiute-player. With the
flag for center, the dancers go round
three times, bodies bent forward, and
eyes on the ground, as if cropping IN
the dark; the drum meanwhile beats a
peculiar quickstep. Then the flag is
unfurled-the sun appears! All draw
themselves up to their fullest height,
and raise eyes and hands with a shout
of JOY. Then the dance commences
round and round the flag with various
steps and motions, at the same time
energetic and solemn, initiating the
course and movements of our planet,
among other things. Meanwhile the
chief sings. and the people answer in
chorus, over and over again the same
thing, in Maya tongue.
CHIEF sTake care how you step.''
DANCERS "We St p well, o master.'
The melody is both mournful. and STIR
ring. The rafting of the sistrum is
very effective, now initiating the scat
tering of grain. now, by q sudden
movement Of every arm, giving forth
one mighty rattle as of a sudden rain
fall and clap of thunder, together with
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