The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-04-30


From time to time, during such fes-
rivals az 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
ancestors, as we'll as few ceremonies,
which they perform on the sly. because
formerly the Spaniards punished them
for what they called idolatrous ana
superstitious rites.
One of their dances, called Ixtol, is
especially interesting, being vesnge
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
ludicrous appearance, and none can
guess what the features beneath may
be like. All wear sandals. The women
have necklaces, principally of large red
beads, and earrings, formerly nose
rings too, but since the conquest these
have been prohibited. The chief, or
master, as they call him, wears a cir
cular cap, stuck all round with peacocks
feathers, making lofty, waving head
dress. In front of him, from his waist,
hangs representation of the sun. In
its center is an eye, inclosed by tri-
angle, from which depends O large
tongue. All these things are symbols OF
Almost ancient freemasonry. One carries
awhile flag with sun painted on it and
man and woman worshiping it. An
other has sacatan, kind OF drum,
used also in Africa; another flute; an
other q sistrum, a sacred instrument
among the ancient Egyptians. With
the sistrum he beats time for the dancers.
In the other hand he has small three
tailed whip. calling to mind the
Egyptian fagel!um of Osiris. This Is
to chastise the dancers if they step bad
ly. A necklace of large sea-shells
hangs halfway to his waist.
Each dancer has in the left hand
fan made of turkey feathers, with the
birds claw for handle. In the right
hand each has q sistrum, not quite like
those used by the Egyptians, but OK
actly like those of Central Africa, as de-
scribed by Du Chaillu. Those in Yu-
catan are made of small calabashes,
ornamentally 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 flag
staff stands the master, the conductor,
and the flute-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 q peculiar
quickstep. Then the flag is unfurled-
the sun appears All draw themselves
up to their fullest height, and raise eyes
and hands with 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. Mean
while the chief sings, and the people
answer in chorus, over and over again
the same thing, in Maya tongue:
Chief-Take care how you step.
Dancers-We step well, . master.
The melody is both mournful and
stirring. The rafting of the sistrum
is very effective, now initiating the scat
terine of grain, now, by sudden move
ment of every arm, giving forth one
mighty rattle as of sudden rainfall
and clap of thunder, together with a
shout raised by the dancers after each
chorus is sung. The fans are kept IN
motion as symbolical of the wind.
There is q pi2's-head festival, now
much fallen into disuse. At a certain
season of the year the head is cooked,
decorated with many colored ribbons
and flowers, and with an orange between
its jaws, placed upon an alter prepared
for the occasion by man who dances
meanwhile. In this manner it is borne
by procession of people to some
chosen individual. Various other pres
ents are also given, such as fowls,
cigars, sweet-bread, and SO forth. The
more numerous the gifts, the worse ii
is for the recipient, because on the fol
lowing year he is expected to give just
twice the amount received.-Alice ID
le Plong con, in Harper's Magazine