The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-18
P4hEf4cE Ar fNfNDFAN DANCE.
A Woman Witnesses an Apache Night
Festival.

II was my very good fortune 10 be IN
Santa Fe some years ago during a ma
tiCnai Indian festival As the greater
part of the programme consisted OF
dances by the different tribes, / was
afforded an excellent opportunity TO op-
serve these curious ceremonies, when
form such an important factor IN the
life OF an indian.
Very little business indeed, that IT,
Of any Importance whatever. is trans
acted by these people without much
dancing and a big pOwwow in general.
Besides many Of the local tribes that
had gathered IN Santa Re at this time
there were numerous bands that had
come from quite distant parts of New
Mexico and Arizona TO participate in the
festivities.
Apparently, they were all on fairly
friendly terms, having buried their hos
tile feelings toward each other, for the
time being. at any rate.
NCtGlie among all OF the Indians were
the old Apache Chief san Juan and his
braves. Notable, not only for their fne
stalWart physlques and fierce, cunning
faces, but also for their well-known anS
daring attacks on the white settlers,
leaving bt hind them burning and pill
tagged homes, murdered men, women, ana
children-iI they were kind enough 10 kill
their victims outright AID did not leave
them TO perish by some slow and rnSe-
NOUS torture such az oniy the fertile
brain Of an Apache could devise.
l had the rather questionable pleas
ure Of seeing my first bona hdc Indian
war dance performed by a picked band
Of these warriors.
TO make it all the more realistic and
terrible IL took place late In the evening,
av the light of an immense camp fire
the ntful shadows thrown by the fiames
serving 20 accentuate the hiieous faces
and ledping. writing forms as they
sprang hither and thither in time 90 the
music.
rrhfs eo-cairo1 ,,,,,.f, ,.,a. ,,,.,,f.Loa a..
three Indians. more horrible than the
otherc, who stood at the head OF the
space IN which the dance was carried on.
Ihrv beat increasingly on tom-toms and
hOWled collectively and individually
Proceedings were enlieyened occasional
y by an unearthly yell from one OF the
dancers. / think | may safely add that
after once hearing those bowls you win
ever after regard the widest and most
IN possible college veil as tame and unin-
teresting. Their costumes consisted OF
very modest little fringe OF buckskin
around the waist. The rest OF the body
was streaked with green. red and yellow
paint. BY way Of additional adornment
they spOrted necklaces OF human teeth.
bear claws, and other trifies Of a kindred
nature. Invariably they wore suspe lftd
AZ their belts several scalps-beautiful.
long hair some of them wore too, show
ing that they had been cut and torn
fr0m some poor WOmens heads
Ia one ndu1 each warrior carried a
small round shield OF rawhide, gayly dec
GRATED with fringe and figures painted In
the brightest colors. In the other hand
hc balanced a long lance tipped with an
iron spear point The figures OF the
dance were much akin TO our quadrilIe.
being varied by skrmishes with magma
ties '' "'' 's''' 'A''''''S '"a" Dat
They gradually worked themselves I'D to
the point where they seemed TO have
discovered the secret OF perpetual motion,
and all you were able TO discern was a
seethiug rlass OF legs and arms, inter-
spersed with wildly brandisned shields
and lances.
After aying exhausted themselves in
this manner, they began 70 drop out. one
by one. until only the musicians remain
ed. Eventually they IN their turn, ceas-
ed. and-the dance was over
In a much happier vein was the we'd
ding dance OF old San Juans daughter,
at a part of which l had the pleasure OF
being present
All OF the bucks desiring to wed the
young maiden were assembled in an open
space. and the dancing began. In this
case IL IS a survival OF the httest." FOR
the brave who has the pluck, energy, and
endurance 10 dance them all down gets
| the bride.
These dances have been known to las.
several days and nights, SO tenacious Is
| the Indian I'm his purpose. having once at
tempted any particular enterprise.
The character OF the dance differs from
| the war dance in that every man Is for
| himself and pounds away I'm a grim,
| steady fashion that betokens vast
/ amount OF determination slowed away
| behind the impassive bronze face The
] bride was a young girl about fifteen, who
was gOrgeously II somewhat scantily at
! tired In a bright green calico waist
| buckskin leggins, and brass rings and
| bead necklaces. The entire proceeding
| appeared TO be matter OF Indifference
| to her: she sat on bright-coiored bian-
! ket and chewed gum with a sang froid
| delightful to behold.
| Occasionally she would Join In the
| dance. TO encourage her weary, dusty
/ swans. but withdrew In q few moments.
| The buck who was successful was one
| OF the most degenerate and hldeous old
] rascals IL was ever my lot to see. and
| have seen good many. However. he
! was evidently quite satisfactory to all
| parties concerned. for the ceremony
/ wound up with much feasting and drink
| ing.
| 4 few days after that party Of US
] had climbed the little hill back OF Santa
! Re 10 view that historic old spot. Fort
| Marcy. and we again had the pleasure OF
! seeing the newly married couple. The
| bride still wore the gay. green calico. and
Was still chewing gum. they were calm
| ly seated on the ground doing nothing
] an art In which an Indian "a past master.