The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-12-23
IT'S LAND OF MANANA.
LIFE I'M THE WEST INDIAN
ISLANDS AN EASY MATTER
Care Sits Lightly on PeOple-Lasinsss
Becomes . Fine Art-Peculiar Customs
of the Natives In Diet, Habit and
DIveraIon-KIndly Hospitality.

Life in the West Indian islands and
in Central and South America is far
from disagreeable, but is also governed
by circumstances of conditions, social
and financial, as well as of compare
tive heat and cold, says the Washing
ton Post. On and near the equator the
customs and habits of the people show
the lassitude superinduced by the
warmth OF the rays of the Sun. and
consequent relaxation which does not
prevail to SO great an extent in the
countries farther toward the north and
the south, and yet, the state Of sweet
do nothing, the dolce far niente, regu-
lates the conduct of the people, whose
watchword is manana, an institution
of these countries and in general
sense meaning procrastination-s
OF our people are addicted to Ia
manana"-in other sense, the morning
nip" La flojera," translated lazi-
ness, is general. Care sits lightly on
the shoulders of the people-the most
Of whom only provide for today-and
let tomorrow look out for itself. the
natives inherit this condition of life
from their -progenitors,
while the transients Of long or short
duration soon fall in with the customs
of the country and in time become re-
signed to the influences Of climate and
surroundings. The siesta or day nap
is an institution INDUCED in by the
rich and the poor; the latter takes 1t
when and where he can. under tho
shade Of a tree, a wall. or wherever
the desire may overtake him; the other
class of people use hammocks swung
in rooms in their houses or in the bal
comics. In the very warm climates
there is an adjunct to the hammock
or in the place near by-of an earthen-
ware, unglazed water bottle, sus-
pended in the air by thong and kept
twirling, the evaporation to the out
side, with the motion, keeping the
water in the bottle remarkably cool.
Ice was for long time unattainable,
unless you except the localities near
the snow-capped Andes and the cool
ing process of the twirliDg water bot
tie was adopted; but now ice machines
are made use Of very generally and
cold drinks are no rarity. During the
middle of the day no one is expected
to work, only to doze away the time.
Flies and like things bother the poor,
but they, being accustomed to these
pests, sleep on; the rich either use
nets or the watchful vigilance OF a
servant, until peaceful slumber over
takes both mistress and maid. There
is nothing like the gentle undulations
of the hammock to soothe the mind
and lull it into forgetfulness. All
business is postponed to pleasure, and
holidays, or dias de fiesta, predominant
in the calendar Diversion is varied
according to localities, but the dance,
in one shape or other, both public and
private, is general, and both the men
and the women excel in this pastime.
The latter dance from the hips down
and are graceful in dancing and in the
carriage Of their persons at all times.
Chicken fights, boat racing, horse
racing and professions figure largely
among the other amusements. The rich
patronize the opera, and both the rich
and poor are natural NJ :cians. Many
of the people are skilled and culti-
waited in the art and perform on most
of the known musical instruments.
Native bands furnish delightful music
for professions and to enliven the
afternoon promenades on the public
walks, which is one of the delights OF
the people; and it is poor community,
however small. in which the tinkle of
the guitar cannot be heard in the soft
air of the evening. Balls or dances are
frequent among all classes, and while
the higher classes divert themselves
with the waltz, quadrille, polka and
cotillon, the others cling to the zama-
cueca, moza-mala, indita and other
similar dances which have been in
vogue since lang syne and are as re-
spectacle and at the same tine more
graceful than the more modern dances.
The people of leisure and the richer,
while they cling to the fashions or
their forefathers in many respects,
also follow the European fashions in
dress and amusements. There is no
more agreeable sight than the daily
passes or promenades of the people on
the alamedas or streets aud the squares
dedicated for this purpose and adorned
by flowers, shrubs and statuary. The !!
people go on foot, on horseback and in |
open carriages, and the men and
women interchange the courtesies OF
life and f1irt to their hearts content.