Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-01-14

Has Ever heen known.
Since 1894 Prof. Carl Lumholtz. III
eminent ethnologist, has lived anon
the existing tribes Of ssyages in Oh
Mexico. studying their culture and ira
ditions. For year past, says the 81
Louis Republic, in the museums Q
Europe he has been comparing the dec
oratiye art Of the least known primitiy
/ Mexican people, the virariIsas, witt
that Of Arabia, finding some similarity
due to early Spaniards, who had beef
| In contact with the Moors. The yer.
large collections sent here by Prof
Lumholtz form one Of the most inter
esting chronological exhibits in th'
American museum. In an interview
Prof. Lumholtz said:
Il spent ten months among the Corr
/, and the little known Huichol Indians
most Of the time being devoted to the
latter tribe. Huichol, or los Hnicholes,
Is Spanish corruption Of the tribal
name Of Vararika, meaning prophets
When ! informed the governor Of Ja-
llsco Of my desire Of finding print
tive people, he informed me Of the Hui
chols, absolute savage, with long hair,
residing in corner OF the state. The
existence Of the tribe was scarcely
known outside and but little inside Of
the state Of Jalisco
after two months with the Coras
Of the Sierra del Nayarit entered the
Huichol territory on the east. Not
withstanding much opposition from the
savages. / got in all right. AT their
frontier discharged my Mexican at
tendants, to aid In overcoming local
prejudices, and went In alone. Stran-
gers are not welcome, and I was at
once warned that the Alcalde Of Santa
Catrina, the capital, threatened to take
my. life should venture into his pres
ence. First, learned the songs Of the
Shamans being sung In the temple at
the feast for making rain, thereby
breaking down the barriers between
the priests and myself. Gradually II
won their confidence to such an extent
that was thereafter unmolested, al
though suffering many deprivations.
The Huicnols number some 1000
souls. They live in the mountainous
country Of the northwestern corner Of
Jalisco, on spur Of the great Sierra |
Madre, very diflcult Of access Two
sierras run parallel here, forming the
southern part Of the Madre del Norte. |
The country is well watered The Rio
trayerses it north and
south in "a mighty deep valley, with
very many small afEluents forming as
many side valleys. Narrow and steer |
1t the bottom, the main valley grad
nally broadens, the sides rising some
1000 or 5000 feet. The top ridges are
covered with immense forests Of pine,
N which deer are exceedingly numer-
Jus,
The climate Is tropical In the val
eys, productive Of sugar cane In a
mall way. Few Indians live among
he pines. Lower down at moderate
deviation their ranches are found, wide
y scattered. Mexicans populate the
lorthern section, as 1t Is not SO noun
ainous and inaccessible around the
'ueblos Of Tezompa and Soledad, II
"They were converted only nominal II
to Christianity. and there are no
riets among them to-day. and no tribe !
D Mexico so well maintains the ancient J
eliefs. They are really q side line Of
he Aztec stock. Their exterior condi-
Ions were altered with the introduc- i
lon Of cattle and sheep, the former be- D
lg preferred for sacrifice at feasts for b
taking rain during the dry seasons .
hey are Of medium stature, healthy, 10
cry emotional. easily moved to laugh. !
n or tears. imaginative and excita- Q
le. Young people show affection BY .
issing and caressing each other ini
uhlic. They are rather lsind-hearted p
nd mot inhospitable when their conf u
snce is won. They are ayaricious and \
cry susceptible to the Mexican peso. lp
They are absolute liars, and not q o
ord they say can be depended upon. =
hey steal from each other, although u
icy took nothing Of mine. In the west a
I'D south district the hair Is worn 9.
ING and flowing, but In the eastern y
Iction II In fnterhraided IN n ctfa and X