Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-06-29
THE G,LLEs or BlNcHE.
Ihc, Carnival the Q"nirtest of Hell.
gian Medieval Customs.

gian Mediaevnl CustonAs.
The persistent manner in which Bel
gians cling to their mcdiaeval festivals
and traditions is IL characteristic ma
tional trait we'll known to those famil-
lar with the Flemish and Walloon
provinces. The survival of such popu-
lar fetes as that of the carnival pro-
ccssion Of the dancing Giles at Binche
attests the innate love Of Belgians for
these picturesque vestiges of their fore
fathers civilization
The festival Of the dancing Giles OF
Rinchc Is In many respects the quaint
est Of these popular customs. This fes-
tival takes place on Mardi Gras mt the
Binche. n town Of Hainaut. The car
nival of Rinche has always been held
in high repute by Belgians. but with
out Its Giles 1t would not be substan-
TALLY different from that Of Rome, Nice
and other towns.
These Giles. or dancing men. who
form the glory of the Hinche carnival
are characterized by their headdresses
and humps. The heuddvess Is most
elaborate and striking. In shape 1t re-
sembles the Old time top hat of our
great gran,li;,thers. The hat Is sur
mounted With Llas.. sent ostrich feath
ers from three to four feet in length,
which give to the wearers the appear
ance Of giants. From each hat, be-
sides, flow several wide. variegated rib
bons while the Giles trousers are be-
decked with trimmings of real lace and
ribbons to mitch those of the hut. Ev-
cry Gille wears II mask and II silk belt,
from which hang small bells.
The entire Giles outfit costs from
$40 to $50, large sum for the peasant
youths, generally selected by the car
nivnl committee TO fill the part of ac-
tors In the Mnrili Grns festivities. The
honor of being II GIlle is 40 great. how
ever, among the gay Lotharios OF
Rinche and carries such prestige with
the local dnmsels that the young men
chosen by the committee are only too
pleased to make the financial sacrifice
demanded Of them.
In the afternoon of Mnrdi Gras the
Giles, in full uniform. .OO strong. pre-
coded by the local brass bands and
musical clubs. appear in procession and
march toward the Grande plnce The
sight thus offered IL unique III the an
nails of carnival rejoicings The Giles
proceed by dancing to the tune of the
band just mentioned At every few
steps they stop, bend and unbcnd. to
heighten the effect Of the ringing from
the bells Worn ut their belts. Their
streamers float to and fro and envelop
them In IL rainbow of ribbon. At the
same time the simultaneous ringing of
bells and humping of wooden snbots
OH the cObbleStont~ sound like the echo
of IL cavalry charge.
The Giles have each Il straw basket
hanging to one side from the belt and
filled with oranges. With these they
lombard the spectators as they dance
along. AS soon as elnpticd the bns-
kets are filled again by men from be-
hind, appointed for this duty a gen
eral battle of oranges then takes place
between the Gilles and the carnival
mcrrymakers. Finally the procession
reaches the town hall in front of
which. seated on Il platform, is tie
mayor. surrounded by the municipal
officials. The Gilles then terminate the
days festivities by general war
dance, giving IL prolonged exhibition OF
their capabilities. The public likewise
Joins In the fun. and soon some 5000
persons. men. women and children, may
be seen gayly waltZiny around the
Grande place. The sight OF an entire
population dressed in carnival costume
and masked dancing III the open air to
the music of the Giles brass band Is
one not easily forgotten. The dancing
continues until the late evening. when
the sport IL brought to an end by the
mayor who formally awards a gold
medal to the Chile who has proved linn
self the most expert dancer. ..Sew York