Evening star., 1898-12-10
sIExICO's ORACLE.
Rules Over a Tribe That fa Centuries
Reffnd the Times.
From the Two Republics


AS is we'll known to all who have looked
into the matter cafefully-for instance, such
men as Lumholtz. Starr and Soville-there
are in remote parts Of Mexico today to be
found portions Of tribes of Indians who are
practically as MUCH given to idolatry, su-
perstition and witchcraft as were their for
bears in the vanished years when the
cleaning banner Of Castle and Aragon
glanced amid the peaks and valleys of Mex
leo, announcing the advent of stronger
race and more victorious faith.
The other day. While making a little trip
over the Interoceahic, that runs through so
many picturesque Indian towns, l hap
pened to meet in one of these villages a very
intelligent Indian, who told me the folioW-
ing. Whether 1T Is true or not l do not
Know tell the tale as twas told to me
He said that on the northern slope OF Popo-
catepetl, near the foot, there Is large cave
almost unknown to the outside world. In
this cave lives an old white-haired Indlan
who Is the oracle of a small tribe or In
dams In that vicinity, whose language Is
unlike that of any of the neighboring towns.
This little tribe has never been conquered
either by the Spaniards or by the chafch
or by the modern government OF the repuo-
lie. The Indians have preserved ail tneir
old customs and traditions until this day,
and are practically as they were 4D years
ago. one of the very curious INSTITUTIONS
among them Is that of the oracle, or seer.
alone. He is ALWAYS the oldest and wisest
man of the tribe. He Is looked upon Win
the same superstitious reverence as were
the oracles of Dodona and Delphos In the
boyhood of the world. In that cave are pre-
served rare gems Of curiously carved emer-
aids, such as the great Mallnche sent
home to Spain: idols of gold and silver ana
copper and stone, pearl necklaces from the
far-off Gulf of California, and strange robes
OF feather work, of which but very lew ex-
aInples are known today outside the pages
of Sabagun, Prescott or Clavtgero.
There are also ranged in fitting order the
ancient gods of this strange people OF
whom this old man is the high priest once
a month commission of the Oldest men OF
the tribe visits the cave and taxes Wlth IL,
in the name of the people, offerings OF lrult
and flowers and eatables and incense Ill
honor of the gods and their oracle.
Upon all affairs of Importance to the trloe
this old man is consulted, and his Judg-
mentS are as those of the Medes ana tHe
Persians.
I asked whether it would be possible 10
visit him or not and was told no one, not
even members of the same tribe, outside he
before mentioned commission. had ever
seen the inside of that strange ana FlFs-
terious cave. My informant told ne that
at a certain point all persons are stopped
by a guard and told that they can proceed
no further upon pain of death. Ana thfs
is not a tale of 400 years ago, but CT to-
day.
The tribe and the cave are at the norm
side of Popocatepetl and every Saturday in
Atlixco members of this tribe are At lbe
market to buy and sell their simple hect g
saries of life. II Is enough to see them TO
realize at once the great difference he
tween them and the other Mexican Ind.ans
who are to he seen there at that time. NOT
only is their style of clothing very otter
ent, but also their language.