The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-12-27
AN NANCIENT FESTIVAL
SACRIFICES AND CEREMONIES INvok-
ING THE RAIN GOD.


covered America and It's Inhabitants.
breaking Jars With Sticks.
The Mayas, once the masters of all
Central America, greatly esteemed the
wide spreading evergreen ceiba tree,
even believing that it would be one of
the beautiful objects in the paradise of
their future life.
When Columbus was busy hunting
tier this big continent, the csiba was
very dear to the Mayas, as it had been
for many centuries. At the approach of
the rainy season the chac, or weather
genii, masters of the clouds, were in.
yoked, and the people had great hunt,
killing many creatures of the forests and
making a burnt offering Of their hearts.
Then several jars filled with water were
suspended and broken.
The fluid gushing out was symbolical
of the bursting of storm clouds. The
name of that quaint ceremony was Tup
kak, meaning to extinguish fire, and
very appropriately, since the first show
ers refresh the parched soil and scorch-
ing atmosphere. 1t has not yet fallen
into disuse, though it has undergone
some changes. AT the hacienda of Ux-
NAL pronounced OoshmaD where, in an
open square, superb ceiba spreads its
cool, shady branches, it was highly en-
tertaining one afternoon to observe the
modern form of the Tup kak
By the trunk of the great tree squatted
man playing a sacatan, drum that is
exactly like the tomtom of the Africans
Not for one instant did he pause from
the time when the people began to gath
er on the spot until all had dispersed
He pounded away as if the entir nation
depended on his present exertions for its
agricultural prosperity, or as if the evil
genii of drought might creep in and ruin
the whole affair should he venture to re-
lax his efforts in the least degree.
Men, women and children congregated
beneath the tree, where a number of red
eaIthen jars, some fancifully painted
and all corked, were placed in line, as
directed by u master of ceremonies.
Over low branch rope was thrown.
To one end OF this u jar was secured and
jerked up and down by man having
hold Of the other end. Boys armed with
sticks stood III line and one by one passed
beneath the jumping jar, aiming Il blow
at it, their business being to break the
same.
Some of the Indian lads welded their
stick so effectually that the jar fell in
fragments on their upturned faces to. the
delight of the others. who, without look
ing, threw themselves on the ground to
scramble for tho good things supposed
to be in the jars. Some disappointment
resulted from the first IL being full Of
emptiness. This exasperated the enter
prising youths, because their companions
made fun of thom Two jars contained
rubbish that came tumbling upon the
bare heads and created some merriment.
Live pigeons flew cut of one and away.
Two jars had been filed with stones,
which happily did not hurt any one,
while in two others all manner of insects
had been closed up The scorpions among
them created some excitement.
Generous matrons had filled three Jars
with wholesome food. The next two con-
tanned new handkerchiefs that instantly
found owners. Two loathsome looking
iguanas crept out of one jar and were
speedily executed, because their skin
fetches u good price among shoemakers
who convert it into fancy sandals and
slippers. TWAS pretty sight to see doz
ems of brilliant butterflies swarming out
of q lar. The delicate creatures seemed
dazed fora moment, but quickly flew ou'
of reach, some with their gauzy wings
little bit rumpled. This display Of litt
in one of its most exquisite forms wa'
followed by dead BID. Then came
shower of fruit. Rice was the neXC OF
fering and corn ,ldings wrapped IL
pieces of banana leaf.
Lastly there was n jar full of import
ed crackers, upon the breaking OF whlci
there ensued q desperate struggle tina
reduced more than half the coveted NOR
sells to fine powder. Altogether 33 jar
were shattered in 80 minutes, and as
old the breaking Of jars filled with wa
ter was svmbolical of bursting cloud
SO the contents of these We're tigurat1y'
of the many things resulting from tn
revivifying rain The peculiar rolling
of the sacatan drum was strikingly sug
gestive of distant thunder.
The man who had arranged the jar
before their destruction knew the con
tents of each He was the H-men, o
wise man of the place, and it is probabl
that those same contents had meanln
for him. such as the following, whic
suggested itself while considering the o.
der in which the jars were broken:
First came emptiness What ca
we hope for, how thrive, without I'll
benefcent rain?
Rubbish-Drorght leaves but refuse ft
the winds to scatter.
Pigeons-When the sweet grain
ripe, the birds will come to feast, b'
away they soar in times of need.
Stones-Walls we must build to pr
tect our crops from intruders. "a
fences in Yucatan are of stone.)
Insects-But let us beware OF polso
GUS insects while working in our fields
Food-Blessed by the rain our toll w
produce abundance.
Kerchiefs-Then can we have.new II
ment.
Iguanas-Also fine sandals.
Butterflies-For few brief days
can hutter in the sunshine of prosperl'
Dead Bird-But forget not that crl
death will come.
Fruit, Grain, Etc-Let us then eng
/ the good things of the earth, reveling
/ its life giving sunshine and showers
l Alice d. LIE Plongeon in New York II
une.