The Columbus journal., 1885-04-08
INDIAN DANCES.

Something About the O.d Custom Of the
Abor. :;ines Of Yucatan.
From time to tine. during such fes-
tivals as the Lzamal 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 we'll as q few ceremonies.
which they perform on the sly. because
formerly the Spaniards punished them
for what they called idolatrous and su-
perstitious rites.
One of their dances, called E1tol, is
especially interesting. being a 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 a most ludi-
crous appearance, and none can
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 q lofty. waving head-dress. In
front of him, from his waist. hangs q
representation of the sun. In its GEN.
ter is an eye, inclosed by q triangle,
from which depends large tongue.
All these things are symbols of q most
ancient freemasonry. One carries .
white flag with sun painted on it and
q man and woman worshipping it. An
other has sacatan, kind Of drum,
used also in Africa; another afiute; an
other q sistrun, q sacred instrument
among the ancient Egyptians. With
the sistrum he beats time for the
small three-tailed whip. calling to
mind the Egyptian fagellun' 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,.
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 tho
drummer, cross-legged, his drum on
the ground before him. Close to the
flag staff stands the master, the con-
ductor, and the flute-player. With the
flag for center, the dancers 90 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
up to their fullest height,
and raise eyes and hands with q shout
of Joy. Then the dance commences
round and round the flag with various
steps and motions. at the same time
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 "Take care how you STEP"
DANCERS. I'VE st p veil. . master"
The melody is both mournful. and STIR |
ring. The rattling of the sistrum is
very effective. now initiating the scat
tering of grain, now, by sudden |
of every arm, giving forth |
one mighty rattle as of sudden rain
fall and clap of thunder. together with
. shout raised by the dancers after each |
chorus is sung. The fans are kept in |
motion as symbolical of the wind.
There is a pig s-head festival, now
much fallen into disuse. At . certain
season of the year the head is cooked, |
decorated with many-colored ribbons
and flowers, and, with an orange b.
tween its jaws. placed upon an altar
for the occasion by . man
who dances meanwhile. In this man.
ner it is borne by q procession of peo-
pie to some chosen individual. vari-
ous other presents are also given. such
ls fowls, cigars, sweet-bread, and 50
lorth. The more numerous the gifts.
he worse it is for the recipient because
On the following year he is expected to
Eive Just twice the amount received.-
A1ies D. k Hosgeon, ~ Haepsv's Asqs-
~