The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1900-10-17
Wholesale and Retail Druggists.
A MORO SWORD DANCE.
Picturesque Scene in One of Our
New Possessions.

A keen-edged knife, heavy enough
to sever the head of an enemy, is the
one absolutely necessary possession OF
a Moro. Like the Texas mans revol-
yer, it may not be needed often, but If
it will suddenly slash an enemy's right
arm off UNEXPECTEDLY from behind our
Moro feels that he has not carried it IN
vain.
OF such is his valor.
Give him a gorgeous, red, green and
orange colored sash, in which to hold
his trusty knife and box of betel-nut,
and he can dispense with the remain
der of his wardrobe, and frequently he
does. But take away the knife, if you
dare. and he would consider himself
naked indeed, brilliant in clothes in
many colors though be might be.
These knives are of various shapes
and weights. usually long and heavy.
The barong, most commonly used, is
tish-shaped blade, accurately balanced
for cutting. So strong and heavy is it
that it slashes through body and bone
at a blow. For thrusting the famous
creepy-loOking Malay creese is used:
these are either straight or waved,
snakelike, two-edged blades. For 9TH
er uses are various fascinating Wcap-
ons, two-handed swords, beheading
knives, spears and daggers. For de-
Tense they have clumsy wooden shields
and coats Of-mail made OF chain and
caribao hornplates.
He has plenty OF time for sOclabillty,
and will sit ana lounge about tireless-
". watching the American soldiers at
work or play. He is pleased, however,
when he has the opportunity to show
his skill with the knife, and when his
audience is composed OF high officials
he is particularly proud to dance and
fence. On all special occasions the
monotouy of garrison life is enlivened
by Moro music and sword dances.
Lights are brought out into the open
air when tn -se entertainments happen
at night, grass mats are spread on the
ground for the dancers. Around ABOUT
the American officers and dancers the
motley crowd of interested natives
gather in circle, their gay colOrs,
queer clothing and stolid faces touched
dimly by the lights which shine bright
/ ly on the dancers. The musicians COM
plete the assembly, and when they
strike up the dancers, stepping on the
mats, begin their stealthy, catlike
movements, stamping their bare feet,
| wavingtheir arms, turning their bodies
now suddenly swift, then cautiously
slow, careful of their knives, for these
| are no mere stage properties, but the
genuine keen-edged articles.
| Through the din of the barbarian
music rises an occasional shout. This
music is pounded out of var cushioned
gongs in irregular measure. A row of
small gongs is arranged on wooden
strips, which are laid ladder-like across
two Icing bamboo poles, so that their
ring may be as clear as possible. Two
large bass gongs of different tones,
suspended from bamboo tripod, boom
out at short, irregular intervals, ac-
complaining the Ginning of the small
er gOngs.
This weird humping, banging and
booming is usually accompanied by
beating with the hands or sticks on
the grass mats or anything else which
will give out sound. Upon the occasion
at Bungao an empty kerosene can was
found by one of the women musicians
while on her tour of curiosity through
camp aud the possibilities of this can
as new musical instrument appealing
TO her delicate taste, she was allowed
to use it, with startling effect, as the
chief piece of the orchestra. Manila
American.