Mohave County miner., 1891-06-06
The MOHAvE MINER.
The Dsv,i's 8aoee.

horrors that perhaps q brief description
of what is known among the White
Mountain Apaches as the devils dance"
may not be without interest
The devils dance" notwithstanding
the suggestive name, is one purely OF
peace. and is celebrated by these Indians
in honor Of their greatest chief, long since
departed. From all that can be gather
ed ii seems that the White Mountain
Apaches have been taught by tradition,
through the "medicine men," that their
great chief disappeared with the setting
Of the sun, and that his return can only
he secured by the adherence of his tribe
to the manners and customs prevalent
during his all-powerful reign. Hence, at
stated periods. certsin forms and cere-
monies, the "Gevips dance" among the
number, are observed in token Of their
continued faith in his ultimate return.
There are five principal actors or dane
ers, four ef whom are warriors, supposed
TO represent the head chiefs OF the sever
al tribes located North, South, East and
West, emblematic OF his acknowledged
supremacy in the four quarters Of the
globe. The fifth dancer is small boy
perfectly naked, except in the ''gee
string" and he al gear, ne iinpersonates
the spirit of the departed chief, and is
supposed to be invisible at all times aud
to all people.
The head gear, which is a mask cover
ing the entire head, is made OF black
cloth. with almost imperceptibie slits for
the eyes and mouth, and Is drawn down
under the chin and tied with string.
Surmounting all is the head-dress proper,
which proclaims the rank, dignity and
SPECIAL Office OF each chief. Their costume
is made up Of the most gorgeous medley
of colors and material it is possible to
ina agine.
In the first place they are stripped to
the waist. around which is gathered a
blanket Of fantastic color and pattern
then their bodies are painted an ashy
hue, oyerlaid with grotesque designs in
black, one painted curiously like skele
ton; another with pointed bands OF black
running diagonally across bis back; a
third with crescents--each one apparent
ly exercising his ingenuity to produce the
most uncanny effect
To realize scene so weird as the one
hers described, imagine yourself in the
wilds OF Arizona, the night starlight
one in January, with strong breeze
blowing that chills you to the bone;
grand living circle OF human beings,
numbering IN bucks, squaws and child.
rem not less than ADD, gathered around
huge campfire Of blazing logs; tom-toms
beating, accompanied by bowling, rhy-
thmical chant taat would terrify the dew
il himself, and in the midst OF all this to
see eight. ten or dozen bucks rush mad
ly into the circle with some indescribable
monster, which proves to be a raw hide,
but which az first sight reminds one of
"0ld Nick" himself, aud which, indeed,
it is intended TO represent. This the
bucks fall upon with sticks and clubs,
pounding as il their very lives depended
upon the violence and rapiditv OF their
blows. at the same time time joining the
chant, which rises and falls in weird ca
dence 10 the toin-toms.
Then comes from the darkness, a
piercing sibilant call, followed by WOO
hoo-hoo. which can only be likened to the
cry of screech owl; then the dancers
appear, trotting in single file, brandish-
ing bows and arrows and long wooden |
swords, bowing, turning 10 right and left,
jumping and making gestures impossible |
70 describe; up they rush to where the
devil is being beaten, back they dance to
the fire, around and around they fly, |
leaping and yelling, the spirit of the
great chief (the small boy rivaling all in
feats OF gility and endurance. The whole
making night one hideous dream. Then,
and only then, can one appreciate the
novel sight Witnessed on the backs OF
the Gila.-Frank Leslie's.