Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-07-10
A V0UD00 DANCE.
DESCRIPTION CRAZY ORGIE
IN HAYTI.
Men and Women Work Themselves
Up 20 High State of tx
citement and Go Through
Fantastic Performances.

ever witness its rites. Opinions vary as
to human sacrifices. Many say they are
not offered. Others think that theT are
always made at the great festivals, but sn
secretly that it is almost impossible to see
them.
During a political celebration in Port
au.Prince one Saturday not long ago,
saws writer in the New York Sun,
learned that on Sunday vou1oo dances
would be held in the vicinity Of the city,
and so on the following morning started
out to find one. had walked out about
a mile, when l heard a drum in the dis
tance. toiled along under the broilinS
sun. and at last located the sound bahind
screen Of freshly cut palms at little
distance from the road. A number Of
saddled horses were tied to the trees,
and pushed my way through ga? to
find in front of me pavilion about thirty
feet square and open at the sides. The
fiat roof was formed of palm branches
and was supported at the centre by big
most. At one end were three men with
cylindrical drums made of followed
logs. one end closed with dried goat
skins, the other solid wood They varied
in length from four feet to two. Near
the smallest was a man with i long cow
bell
| took position outside of the arbor,
and little or no attention was paid to nc
at first. as all hands were watching the
entrance to a hut. Presently the drains
struck w, all the spectators joined in a
cultural chant and the high priest, or
"Papaloi," came from the hut, bearing
n china mug carefully covered with a
silk handkerchief. With him were an
assistant priest aud 4 master OF cere-
monies, with small silver bell. Thea
came 'Mammaloi," or puestess, with a
small gourd, covered with strings Of
beads. This she ratified almost con
stantly in time with the drums. All
were we'll dressed, as were also the fifty
or sixty spectators, mostly women, who
were seated or crouched on the ground on
three sides of the arbor. The Papaloi
was an enormous man, over six feet tall
and splendidly proportional.
The little procession passed around the
pavilion and paused in front of the
drums. The Papalci made number Of
gestures, holding his covered mug higa
in front of him, aad then he slowly
brought it toward his lips. Another
LARGE silk handkerchief was thrown over
his head, mug and all, and he drank
Instantly he threw off the handkerchief
and poured the mugs contents, which
locked like water, on the ground ol
three spots in front of the drums. He
sprang to one side and there was a mad
rush of women to the spots. They
provellcd on the ground, licking the wet
dirt, and covering their noses with dabs
of mud. Then one by one they crlwlc !
to the Papalol, kissing the ground be-
fore him, aud striking it with their fore
heads. He raised them to their knees,
wiped their faces with silk handker.
chief, and, taking one by the right hand,
he elevated his arm to its full length,
and she turned under it TO the right,
then to the left, aud all resumed their
seats.
One midde-aged woman began lane
ing alone. She became violent and
streams of Precipitation rolled down heI
face. She danced up to the Papaloi and
/ bent over so that she touched the ground
with the tips Of her fingers, and then,
springing up, touched her body. He
arose and repeated her motions. She
took a silk handkerchief and wiped his
face carefully. He did the same to her.
( The dance became more violent, until
the Papaloi disappeared in the hut. He
emerged with the covered mug, and
offered it TO her, while the master OF
ceremonies threw the usual square Of silk
over her head. She emptied it at n
draught. The dancer seizing her dress
with both hands, did most wonderful
hopping around in a circle. Finally she
fell, rolled over and over, raised herself
to her knees, her eyes closed, her mouth
foaming, and her face contorted, aGd
commenced moving her head round and
round, faster and faster, until it seemed
that it must Hy OF. Suddenly she
stopped, rose to her feet, and then, with
out an effort to save herself, tumbled
over backward as il she were dead.
The old Mammaloi handed her gourd
to another, took her place in the centre,
and grasped the post. Suddenly hei
whole body gave CHASTITY twitch and
hei face became contorted. Again aud
again the shudders were repeated with
shorter intervals, while her large eyes
seemed about to start from her head. II
was the most fascinating thing have
ever seen. and felt the perspiratior
gather and roll down as stared at her
Suddenly she broke into gallop around
the post. Round and round she went,
stopping occasionally to twitch and
glare about her. Then she sprang to the
Papaloi, seized him by the hands,