The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-25
A MISSION FIESTA.
SOLEMN MERRY MAKING OF The
MEXlCANS AND INDIANS.
Glimpses of life In southern CALIFORNIA
The Chapel of Pa:s-Amons tho Basket
Makers - Nortars for Grinding Grain
Scenes at the Races.

les han. with rude tiled floor. roofed With
red tiles taken from Temecula. Rude paint
ings decorate the walls, and the altar orna-
meats. though meacer, are Of the poorest
description Tourists and curiosity hunters
have depleted the place. IL vas gala time
at Psla. and all the inhabitants from Tar ana
near had assembled 20 celebrate the fiesta OF
its patron saint, San Luis Rey. A stones
throw from the chapel or mission was the
ramada, about which the festivities centered.
This was brush structure, made OF inter
woven green willow branches, about hfiy
feet square, Hat upon the top. with the open
ings. which extended completely through
dividing the ramada into three parts. In
the center was tie square dancing PLATFORM
with benches on each side. while the sides OF
the ramada proper were divided into booths
appropriated by dealers Of various kinds.
Il is at night that the fiesta really begins.
Vehicles Of all descriptions have been arriv-
ing all the afternoon. unloading entire fam
lies, the women wrapped in the inevitable
black shawl, the men in sombreros and long
frock coats. riders on horseback, some on
mules, until by o'clock the ramada was
thronged with an eager, herd drinking. but
good lumored. crowd \ few lamps and
candles were distributed about, and the re-
mazda became picturesque even IN lis somber-
ness. The band, two guitars and violin,
struck up LA Paloma.n and soon after was
almost drowned by the shutting feet Of the
dancers upon the sanded floor. Among the
lockers on wero descendants Of the old mis-
sion Indians, the Cahuilos, Dieeenos, and
others.
Tho fiesta has commenced and all is sup
posed % bc Us merry as the tradional mar
rage bell yet 20 the strangers there n Is a
very solemn affair Tie segregation between
the sexcs seems % be complete. The young
men in their long coats, vixen not taking
hand 40 the various games Of chance or
drinking. sit silently by upon bench smok-
ilc cigarettes. while the senoritas dispose
themselves upon an eQuolly hard bench upon
the opposite SIDE OF the dancing platform.
There is no conversation, no small talk, fir
tatiOn or ccquetry beyond the speaking black
eyes When the violin and guitars strike
up the opening dance the young men sol
EMMY walk over 90 the young ladies and lead
thom ou,. after the dance az soicmuly es-
cortiag them back again. The young men
had their wine and their cigarettes, aud oc-
casiOnallv los. dollar at the games, but the
senoritas bought tleir own tomalls and
other refreshments As the night wore on
wine flowed moro freely, betting became
more vigorous, and laughing and Shouting
were occasionally heard aud but once any
indication Of serious by play.
A. parma, ten miles up the Pala valley,
another mission was visited. Here were
larger ramadas and many Indian houses with
tulie or willow annex. The old chief, who
was barcfoo.ed and hooded with a s;oveppe
DO. several decades old, greeted rs cordially,
GlsD.aycl his dancing dress OF eagle feathers,
c.d s.enDcd q MEASURE for our edication.
lis house was of adobe, with a ramada Of
tii.o CO. willow teraliy q summer Kitchen,
wrero the family lounged and lived
IEe interior al the house, though aCOrless.
Yves clean. and tho family, large enc, sat
around cycling Us with curiosity. To every
lOuse were seen baskets mortars and mat
ltes. the only evidence Of art among these
peoDle Nortais were found IN various local
ties lying about the fields. several weighing
$50 round. ia front Cf the old mission. while
others, probably broken Intentionally, pro-
tr-iei from the ground within iac great
adoac wall 10 the garden, with rs old olives
aad VINES planted By the padres. The mcr-
tars range from small one, Weighing five
pounds 10 those weighing go pounds Iney
were TIE primitive vessels for grinding corn.
Who made them the present Indians d0not
know. and wlcn asked whore they COZ them
they reply thar they found them, which D.
probably true, a. tlo writer has unearthcd
numbers on the slOoes of tne Iemecala range
and elsewhere They were made by the au-
,ostors az the present Indians worn out after
wears of grlrdiag and patient labor. some
are Of heavier granite rock, While others
are Of volcanic origin. many being OF rccu
lar share. show.ug that the makers had some
idea Of beauty of form.
While the stone implements Of these people
ere interesting the baskets snow them d have
possessed much artistic feeling Ia many Of
the adobei or huts of the Cahula, Fauna or
pcchanra Indians cd women We're seen weay-
ms baskets They sat upon the ground tailor
fashion. with bundles OF material by their
sides working az the bas-et whl,1 would
take them two weeks 20 finish and which 81
could buy Tho baskets are % these people
wha. tinware is % the whites. One is Il
trun.. and holds the wardrobe OF the squaws.
Another and smaller one serves as a tobacco
pouch An old squaw is sitting grain with u
plaQce Of basketwarc. Another is cooking
food in large basket in which the water has
been heatedby the Introduction Of hot stones.
Grapes are hcared IN tic largest, while very
small specimens are Used in variety Of
ways.
In pauma baskets could be found in every
house, though none OF the owners seemed par-
ticu.arly DESTROYS Of parting with them. In
ope broken down adobe visited were three
oil sQuaws and an old man. In response 70
a request for baskets the latter sang song,
in which he told the story of the basket max
ers OF Old Throwing a coat over his arm be
assumed . position similar % negro when
about 70 pat time, and commenced TO sing
weird commngling Of sounds in Old Cahuila,
every line e-ding ia "A-a-ah-ah,' followed
By On asprating sound almost asthmatic. In
this tie old sQuaws crouching near in the
ramada Joined. At the first notes the Next
cans at the large ramada came dashing up
upon their ponies, and soon TIE old chief was
the ceute. OF a picturesque group. The at
tentlon and applause seemed 70 excite him,
rs be- redoubled his efforts waving his arms
wildly, pointing to the four points or the
compass, and stamping upon the ground The
entire assemblage joined IN the "A G-ah-ah,
giving it a rising and falling infection.
d 40 fHa.r.