The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-07-15
GAY FUNERAL CUSTOMS.

The Death of Child Irar From Mourn.
full Affair in Nicaragua.
The death of 3 child in Nicaragua.
writes an American visitor to Granada,
the chief city of that republic, is not
considered q mournful affair to those of
the poorer classes.
One is rather mourned on coming into
this world of sorrow and hunger to SO
many of them; the going out of it is
made an occasion of pleasure and re-
joicing. Then all seems to be smiles
and festivity.
In one of my walks about the city,
hearing strains OF music from a guitar
and a 'iolin or two proceeding from
Jacal NATIVE hut, | approached the
place, expecting to find wedding party
perhaps, or christening going on.
Lentered without fear of intrusion,
for among the poorer people of all Gen.
trail America it is esteemed quite an
honor to receive a stranger to any of
their festivities, whether wedding,
christening or funeral, or the celebra-
ton of their Dia de Santo Saints day.,
the day of the saint from whom they
are named, which is observed there in
stead of the birthday, as with us. AT
sssh time one is sure to receive most
polite and profusc attentions.
The owner, evidently, met me at the
door, and with smile waved his hand
toward the interior and invited me in
Expecting to enjoy the pleasures of
wedding, with an expectant smile on
my face, | entered.
What did I find? For a moment
was quite shocked. l had introduced
myself abruptly to funeral.
Dressed all in white, lying in bed of
roses with eyes wide open, pink flow
er between the lips and surrounded by
candles at sides, feet and head was the
body of small child not more than a
year old.
The furnishings of the room were of
the slmplest-an uneven earthen floor,
bare adobe walls, no attempt at adorn-
ment, excepting few cheap pictures of
saints without frames pinned to them,
and some chairs; nothing else
The body lay on board, between
two boxes. There was no coffin in
sight. This is not brought forth until
the start is made for the cemetery, and
among the very poor is often not used
at all, unless it be rented for the occa-
sion, to be returned after the burial. |
was offered chair, invited to help my
self to the funeral meats" consisting
OF tiste, kind of drink made from
toasted corn; chocolate and sugar
ground together and mixed with
water, sweet cake and dulcies,
or native candies, and the house
was placed at my disposal in true
Spanish fashion, with many bow and
ceremonious wave of the hands. And
accepted and partook, the musicians
in the meantime playing tunes that
gave me great desire to dance, after
which gave my thanks complimented
the beauty of the child and bowed nv
self out.
continued my stroll. On the return
TO my hotel | encountered the funeral
party on its way to the grave. First
came boy of some fourteen years of
age CARRYING the diminutive coffin. on
his head. The lid was not on. A troop
of children surrounded him and fol-
lowed along, looking with longing
eyes; the girls, as if they envied the
dead one; the boys wishing they could
take turn at carrying the coffin and
envying the fortunate one who per-
formed that office, while he trudped
along with smiling, happy face, occa.
slonally lowering the burden so that
friends whom he met could admire the
child within
begged that privilege 1t had been
apretty creature in life, and death, with
its flowers and smiling followers, had
not robbed it of all it's charms. The
clasped hands held small cruelty. and
the pink flower yet remained between
the ehlld's lips. I have not learned
whether that was only placed there by
chance or was Il symbol that life is but
as a flower, perhaps
After the body came boy swinging
an incensory, and then came the priest. |
a benign, staid old man with. bald
head and amiable features but whose
rnbicund color told only too plainly that
he and the wine cup were not mac.
qua'nted, and whose portly form be-
tokened the best of living. He saluted
me kindly, and the procession moved
away the fiddters vigorously saving on
their instruments most lively polka,
and one and all, each man and bow and
child following, carrying lighted can
die.
NO women go to the cemetery. In
spite OF the apparent joyfulness of the
occasion they weep and mourn, and
until the men return to comfort them
cries ofttimes ring out on the
sun night, showing how dear to even
l.,