Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-06-19

YUCATAN.


Marriage Rites
IA . lecture before the Long Island
Historical society, Mrs. lie Plong related
ne following interesting facts about Yu-
lan and its people: The ancient mar
ee rites are very interesting. On her
Nedding day the Indian maiden, like her
al1 sister. dons the best she can procure,
sometimes hiring or borrowing dress,
y we'll ais plenty Of laces and haubles.
After the ceremony of the church Is over,
BE returns to the house Of her child
hood. Eight days having elapsed, those
Nho gave her in marriage take her to the
aoase Of her husband, whose father then
atters cocoa beans over the floor for the
numerous guests to gather. They seem
q have forgotten the meaning of this,
out IL may be symbolical of the hospi-
aalaty that the young couple should offer
al friends, for cocoa was current even
before the Spaniards arrived. while choc-
plate made from cocoa was in ancient
lImes, as it is now, the favorise beverage
throughout the country. When the cocoa
s gathered the young couple kneel on a
mat, and the mother of the bridegroom
blesses them, the father repeating the
blessing. This does not consist of laying
nc hands on the head, but in sprinkling
water on them with tw fof rue. After
lhe blessing more coco scattered, then
they put IN the mouth Of the bride and
groom mixture of TOASTED corn, quite
bitter. and honey. The mixture is called
kux. and its use is symbolical. Kux
means disgust, annoyance. anger, from
which no one in any state of life can hope
u be altogether exempt, and the honey
represents the sweetness of a happy
union The use of the rue has also its
meaning, for the Indians are well aware
Of the medical property of the plant.
But the Indians now hide themselves to
observe old rites, and those who wish to
have chance of seeing them must 60 to
remote places, where travellers arc like
wise attracted by the temples and palaces,
remains Of once iourishing cities that arc
scattered over the peninsula and hidden
beneath dense forests. During the past
four years two or three railroads have
been constructed in Yucatan. Much
travelling, however, has yet to be accom-
plished over excessively bad roads,
and the conveyance in use, though
strong and safe. is far from comfort
able. IL Is called boIan koche and
II d kind of palaQuin supported on
leather straps. The bottom is a net
work Of ropes, on which thin mattress
e spread, large enough to accommodate
SIS persons, sitting Turkish fashion, OF
two lying full length, the way gener-
orally preferred. The bolan koche is
drawn by three mules, small but strong.
they 60 just as they please, for the
driver seldom guides them, he is too
busy smoking cigarettes, snd they have
2 trick Of choosing the worst places. II
but one stone is in sight they are sure to
jump the wheel over 1t. Leaving Merida
early in the morning we meet groups of
Indians on the way to the city market
with fruits, fowls, jars. sacks of char
coal, loads Of wood, and many other
things. Loads are carried on the back,
tho strap being put across the forehead
for heavy loads and for light ones across
the chest. Some plod along the road
balf hidden beneath lot of fodder.
Weary women drag themselves from
door to door crying s.ManachuchN-5
Buy charcoal" anything but pleas
at tones. The profits of the
day generally amount to ten
IL twelve cents. These people
ere remarkable pedestrians, six miles an
hour being an easy gait for them, and
they are so polite that they never
IaIl 70 salute the passing white man. Not
even $50 years of slavery have destroyed
Ihe innate good manners of the race.
1he woods and hedges are covered with
brilliant colors. Brilliant plumed song
efs nestle among tho green foliage, but
nRter away at the approach of man.
he woods abound with deer, timid rab
bits. gaudy turkeys, treacherous tigers,
aud venomous snakes, glistening and
gliding among the blossoms. Some Of
the villages are very picturesque, with
Indian huts, above whose roofs the palm
tHees tower like sentineis, while dusky
little urchins and half starved dogs froIic
together under the scorching sunrays
Many parts Of the country are entirely
undermined by extensive caverns, that
formed delightfully."- cool retreats during
tie heat Of the day. There are long
winding passages and roomy
chambers following one after an
ether long distances, with here and
there some chink in the stony vault
Ab0ve through which q sunbeam pene-
tEntess enabling us to see right openings
leading 10 untrodden places in the bow
els q the earth. In these caverns are
small pools Of water of medicinal quail
lies. Ia the west of Yucatan there is Q
village called Boloncher. meaning nine
wells because In the public square
there ere nine circular openings cut
through the strata Of rock. They are
III mouths OF one immense cistern (nat
ural 81 made BY hand il not known In
tines ot drought they are empty, which
shows they are not supplied by any sub.
tsEganean spring. IN such times the
people depend entirely on the water
found ia cave q mile and 4 half from
he village. This Is perhaps tho most
remarkable cavern il tie whole peninsu.
Tho entrance d magnificent, wild.
nd picturesque, beneath ID ovcrhanrino
xoe
z.hfra 81 & rHfsaf1r Ma a4senS.e. ,.f -.