The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-01-11
FIRE PROOF INDIANS.
How tho Un-Aknw. Dance 10 Performed Mt
the Nav 10 ArcAcy.

fr"" rae Dft~f frionhe
travelling in New Mexico and Arizona. gave an
Interesting and graphic sketch To Denver
which he had Witnessed at one Of the Navajo
agencies. II took place in large corral. or
enclosure OF an irresularly circular form. about
eight feet high. WAS constructed II fresh
juniper and rinon poughs. In the centre was
high. which was to make the du great Ht central a
hre. Around this. "A few feet from the fence. u
fort and convenience of the spectators. who
numbered about 900 men. women. aud chill
dren. gathered here from various parts of the
The fire dance was the most picturesque and
startling Of all. some time beiors the dancers
the blowing Of the buffalo horn. Tho sounds
were much like the call OF the sandhill crane.
peting." and they w.rn made by the dancers
constantly during tn" exercises. The noises
continued to grow louder and cor.- nearer.
until We heard them ~ the OpentnS in tho
east. and in moment after men having no
more clothing on than n breech-clout entered.
ded cedar bark in each hand. except the
leader. who carried four smaller fagots Of the
round the Ore. waving their buni - ii bark to-
ward the flame: then they halted in the east !;
the lender advanced toward the central fire.
Ut one OF his little iagotS. and trumpoting
loudly. threw it over the fence 81 the corral in
the east He performed "a similar Act at tue
south. the west; and the north, but b-for. the
northern brand was thrown he lit il win tho
fagots OF his comrades. As each brand disap-
blew into their hands. and male motion as ii
tossing some substance alter the flame.
When the iagots we're all III the whole band
began u wild dance around the lire. At first
they kept close ,pgether and spat upon one
another some substitutes of supposed medici.
apparently without concert. the rapid racing
causing tho brands to throw out long bril-:
liant strenmers Of flame over the naked
proceeded to Apply the brands to their own
turning around. At times the dancer struck
the victim vigorous blows with his flaming
wand: again he saized the flame as II it we're
sued. rubbed the back Of the latter for several
moments. as II he we're bathing him. In the
some one in front Of him. and, in turn, battle
him in flame. AT times. when q daucer
found no ono in front Of him. he proceeded to
up while making two or three circuits around
tho FIRE or HntII he oy yer s2me one else.
n each was % ne o 9a1e ssg opd rim
flock of a hundred cranes we're wingn1 their
way overhead. southwark. through tho dark
lit again in the, central fire. but when It was
so far consumed as To bs no longer held con-
n he the ss it.
one by one they all departed. and tho specta-
tors stepped into the arena, picked up the fas-
and bathed their hands in the flames rs a
charm against the evil effects. Of hre;
We're they not blisteredT' we asked.
They were not hurt in the least" was the
answer. - believe they were protected by a
coating OF earth or clay paint. That, however,
have beheld many fro scenes on the stage.
many acts OF fire-eating and FIRE handling by
clyilizsd jugglers. and many lire dances by
other Indian tribes but nothing quite compar-
able to this. The scenic -sories were
unique. Dsmons seourging lost souls with the
eternal tre could scarcely be- pictured to look
moro awful"