The Monte Vista journal., 1899-01-07
wnIrE-nA,REp ORACLE.
Rules Over . Tribe That IL Centuries
Behind the Times.

Behind the Times.
From the Two Republics: AS Is we'll
known to all who have looked into the
matter carefully-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. superstition and
witchcraft as were their forbears in the
vanished years when the cleaning BAN
ner Of Castillo and Aragon glanced amid
the peaks and valleys Of Mexico, an
nouncing the advent Of stronger race
and more victorious faith. The other
day, while making little trip over the
1nteroceanic, that runs through so
many picturesque Indian towns, l hap
pened to meet In one Of these vii
lagos a very intelligent Indian. who
told me the following. Whether 1t Is
true or not do not know tell the
tale as twas told to me-" He said
that on the northern slope OF Popo-
cateptl. near the foot, there is large
cave almost unknown to the outside
world. In this cave lives an old white
haired Indian who is the oracle OF
small tribe of Indians In that vicinity,
whose language is unlike that OF any
of the neighboring towns. This little
tribe has never been conquered either
by the Spaniaras or by the church, or
by the modern government of the re-
public. The Indians have preserved
all their old customs and traditions un-
til this day, and are practically as they
were 400 years ago. One of the very
curious institutions among them is that
of the oracle. or seer, who dwells in
the aforementioned cave all alone.
He is always the Oldest and wisest
man of the tribe. He Is looked upon
with the same superstitious reverence
as were the oracles OF Dodona and
Delphos in the boyhood of the world.
In that cave are preserved rare gems
OF curiously carved emeralds. such as
the great "Malinche" sent home to
Spain; idols OF gold and silver and
copper and stone. pearl necklaces from
the far-off Gulf OF California, and
strange robes of feather work, Of which
but very few examples are known to-
day outside the pages OF Sabagun, Pres
colt or Clavigero. 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 n commission OF the oldest men
of the tribe visits the cave and takes
| with 1t, in the name OF the people, Of
nf frt,it and NnwarS and
ables and incense in honor of the gods
, and their oracle. Upon all affairs OF
Importance to the tribe this old man
| Is consulted. and his judgments are
! as those OF the Medes and the Persians.
| asked whether 1t would be possible
| to visit him or not and was told no
one. not even members OF the same
commission" had ever seen the inside
OF that strange and mysterious cave.
| My informant told me that At a certain
point all persons are stopped by n
guard and told that they can proceed
no further upon pain OF death. And
this is not n tale OF 400 years ago. but
of today. The tribe and the cave are
at the north side of Popocatcptl and ev-
cry Saturday in Atlixco members OF
this tribe are at the market to buy and
sell their simple necessities of life. 1t
is enough to see them TO realize at
once the great difference between them
| and the other Mexican Indians who are
to be seen there at that time. Not only
is their style OF clothing very different.
but also their language.