The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-03-04

From time to time, during such
festival as the Izamal fair, Carnival,
and the like, an opportunity offers
itself for learning something about
the old customs of the aborgines.
The Indians still remember some
dances of their ancestors, as well as
8 few ceremonies, which they per
form on the sly, because formerly
the Spaniards punished them for
what they called idoiatrous and su-
/, perstitious rites.
One of their dances, called Lrtoi,
is especially interesting, being aves-
tige of sun-worship. Men and wo-
men take part in the dance; provi-
ded the number OF each is equal, II
matters not how many. Ali 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 lu-
dicous appearance, and none can
guess what the features beneath may
: be ike. All wear sandals. The
women have necklaces. principally
of large red beads, and earrings, for
merly noose-rings too, but since the
conquest these have been prohibit
ed. The chief, or master, as they
call him, wears a circular cap, stuck
all round with peacock feathers,
| making lofty, waving head dress.
In front of MIN, from his waist,
hangs e representation OF the sun.
In It's center Is an eye, inclosed by
triangle, from which depends 4
large tongue. All these things are
symbols of a most aacient freemason-
ry One carries white flag with
sun painted on ii and man and
woman worshiping il. Another has
saeataR, a kind of drum, used also
IN Africa another huIe another a
SiSfrum, sacred instrument among
the ancient Egyptians. With the
sistrEm he beats time for the dan
GERS. Ia the other hand be has q
small three-tailed whip. calling to
mind the Egyptian 4sgeil''R of Os-
Iris. This Is to chase the dancersas
they step badly. A necklace OF
large seashells hangs half way 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 a sistrum, not
quite ike those used by the Egyp-
tians, but exactly like those OF Cen
tral Africa. as described by Du Chail-
In. Those in Youcatan are made of
small calabashes, ornamentally pain
ted, and secured to the handle by
pieces of bamboo; they have peb-
bels inside to rattle The flag is
held upright by the bearer or plant
ted in the ground. Beneath it sits
the drummer, eross-legged his
drum on the ground before
him. Close to the flag staff
stand the master, the con-
ductor, and the flute player With
the flag Tor a center, the dadcers go
round three times, bodies bent for
ward, and eyes on the ground, as if
cropping in the dark : the drum mean
while 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 10Y.
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 plaa-
ct, among other things. Meanwhile
the chief sings, and the people an
swer In chorus, over and over again
the same thing, in Maya tongue.
Chiet.-"Take care how YOU
step" as
Daaesrs.-"We st p well, o Mas
ter"
The melody is both mournful and
stirring. The rattling ofthe sistrum
Ao wy NAINhANCs DON lullldllUE the
scattering Of grain, now, by a sud-
den movement of every arm, giving
forth one mighty rattle as of sud-
den rainfall and clap of thunder, to-
gether with shout raised by the
dancers after each chorus is sung.
The fans are kept in motion as svm-
b0lical of the wind.
There is pigs head festival. now
much fallen into disuse. At a GER
tain season of the year the head is
cooked, decorated with many colored
ribbons and flowers. and, with an or
ange between its jaws, placed upon
an altar prepared for the occasion
by man who dances meanwhile.
In this manner i is borne by a pro-
eession of people to some chosen
individual. Various other presents
are also given. such as fowls, cigars
sweet-bread, and so forth. TIE
more numerous the gifts, the worse
It is for the recipient, because on the
following year he is expected TO give
lust twice the amount received
Hqrpers Magazine