The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-12-23
CHRISTMAs ~ MEXICO.
The Festival begins December 10.
Quaint Customs-The Ponadas.

Prom the New York Evening Post
city 81 Mexico. Dec. l0-A Christmas 10
Mexico Is celebrated IN a way 20 entirely
United States that q is dificuit TO realize
thar tho birth Of the same Saviour Is be-
ing honored.
As the years roll by tho festivities are
less strictly observed tn q purely religious
way. AMI with less pomp and oetentation
socially Laws have been passed which
forbid tho beautiful church professions
going beyond the doors Ia former days
regiments OF soldiers. generals. governors.
presidents. and tho high church digni,a-
ries took part. and the entire city sus-
pended all business either 20 Join IN the
solemn march or revcreutly view a. As
Dos name implies. the Christmas Novena
lasts nine days AMI consists principally o.
posadas the first held on The evening Of
Dec U.s. the last on la Noche Hue mathis
D. Christmas 1--we. o. the Good night
The two streets bounding on the north
and west the Alameda. with is trees and
flowers. fountains and shaded seats. are
chosen Tor the display Of articles for sale.
Loads OF evergreens bright berries ana
rich mosses are brought IN from the couu-
try hy Indians. and piled along the west
ern street. R4th delicate aud feathery
grasses Among the greens and browns.
Indian women and children cook and eat
their peppery dishes while the sales so
on. on the north side are the harruuaa.
or stalls. where are sweets OF the most
alIurug colors and designs for an who
are 20 bee used in tho pinatas which play
a more prominent part each year Ia the
posadas as tho outward religious mani
festatious decline
The word pos@adl means Inn. and the
nine posadaa held on the nine evenings
before la Navidnd. tho Nativity. are 10
memory OF the weary search u Joseph
and Mary FOR a place OF rest after their
journey 10 Bethlehem. or Belen. Accord
ing 90 these traditions % was not until
The ninth evening that a kindly innkeepcr,
or posadero. took pity on the oXpectant
mother Among the tiny figures offered
for sale. the good possdrro Is wen repre-
seuted. though Joseph and Mary are
prominent While Mafy,.on her way 10
Bethlehem IS always on muleback. Joseph
sometimes Is seen 20 walk and lead The
anlmal. an angel following: or che angel
Leads while Joseph follows with a tiny
cudgei in his hands Little groups show
the Three Wise Men on their way with
gifts TO the newborn Lord. In a few Of
these. servants bear the presents. hut as
q usual thing che venerable men perform
themselves the task. Little stables with
decorated stalls and Manager. Nino San
toe OF wax. or porcelain. or clay are
ready near by 10 be bought and carried
IN the posada procession and laid In che
cunas
II would be hard 70 mention anything
appropriate or suggestive OF the travels
or life OF the Holy Family not 10 be
found IN the stalls devoted 60 shcir sale.
Farm animals and fowls milkmaids and
stableboys. shepherds and their nocks.
stars aud angels. are IN pretty confusion.
and the careful buyers know how 10 ar
range them al home 50 that when guests
arrive che Biblical scene has been cleverly
Interpreted and oil Is ready for the COM
ing OF the central figure-the Nino Santo
10 be laid In the manager.
one room en- the house to which guests
have been invited 70 take part In noSada
Is set apart a. the inn and decorated &C
eording 10 the means and taste OF the ho-
and hostess AZ a given signal those pres
emf form procession and wander through
the rooms and corridors, around the pat
To- IN and out the Old spanish arches
singing the NtaulDH anu NANlNrs I ne ItH-
ces~ion Is always headed by one who car
rles che babe-frequenily a little girl
Sometimes little children dressed as an
gels nit about. but this part OF the posada
i gradually vanishing. AZ last the Inn
door Il reached To the petitions OF The
travellers for Ambulance denial is chant
cd from within, until after repeated ap-
meals. Il i told who Il Is pleading for q
refuge then the door Is flung open, JOY
GUS welcome Is given. all burst into
bvmn OF gladness. The babe IS taken
and laid IN SIS cuna. or cradle. In olden
times this was always done by priest.
Now che evening zaieties begin.
The curious pinaias which have been
dispiayed for sale In the stalls represent
figures OF human beings and animals
flowers and musical instruments. beautl-
ful and grotcsque. but ali bearing In their
interior. though deftly hidden by cover
inrq Of tissue paper. pinata or Jar OF
rot.ery to be allied with goodies and toys.
During the evening one OF several are
suspended and turns taken by the young
folE ana children. biindfoided In trying
to break the pinsta with a long stick.
when one succeeds. scramble for the
falling contents foilows
Thousands OF dollars have been spent on
one posada IN the homes Of sho wealthy.
the souvenirs being of silver and gold.
such tavishness IL becoming thing OF
the past.