Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1905-07-09
PAus AND PINksTER.
The Dutch Easter TIne Festivals In
the Mohawk valley.

Inv
Next TO New Years day Paus and
Pinlcstcr were the more popular and
generally Observed holidays OF the old
Dat.I Ia tile Mohawk valley. IauS
was Easier AL Pinkstnr wa Wilt.
sunday. l'inkster was particularly
gala day. when young and Old gave
themselves mp to iollity ard bolsterous
fun. The joys Of the day began In the
morning with sports. outdoor games
and contests and ended late nj night
with indoor games and dancing. There
were egg butting'' and riding at the
ring" The latter sport was probably
rural adaptation OF the tournaments
Of the days OF chivalry. The neces-
sary arrangement was a cord tied
across the road just above the heads Of
men on horseback. From this cord was
suspended 10y q short string a finger
ring Each hOrseman was provided
with a short. sharp pointed stick about
the size OF a meat skewer. which was
held between the first finger and
thumb. The competitors were obliged
to ride at full gallop under the cord
and attempt TO thrust their dances"
through the ring and carry II of three
times. When one OF the contestants
had accomplished this he was chased by
all the other contestants. II he sue
ceeded IN reaching the goal without be
ing caught he was the winner. The
prize was the payment by the other
contestants OF the bill for himself and
his best girl at the dance and supper to
be given In the evening. IT, however.
he was caught he was Obliged to foot
the bill for his captor and his best girl.
For week before Plnkster the in
habltants, black and white. began 90
make ready for the festival by erecting
leaved trees and shrubs on place In
or near the village chosen because OF
It's convenience and beauty. In these
booths the tables were set with good
things TO eat and drink. Besides the
"cgg buttlng" and riding at the ring"
there were lmprOmptu horse races,
wrestling matches and occasional
scraps" The p,usic for dancing was
provided by the fiddle and Jewsharp,
PlnkStcr was n great occasion for the
slaves. ON this day they had unusual
liberty 10 enjoy themselves according
10 their own ideas one way OF doing
so was n dance, which was no doubt a
relic of one Of the many religious
dances brought from Africa by the
captured slaves The music was oh
tanned from a huge drumllke instru-
mcnt four or five feet long and foot
In diameter covered at either end by n
tightly stretched Sheepskin. This was
held between the legs Of the largest
and oldest slave In the community,
This drum he would beat with palm
and fingers, and all the time he sang
wOrdleSs song. which rs the excite
mcnt Increased would become wild and
weird and was accompanied by mus.
Cular cOntOrtiO ions. wagging and twist.
ing of the head and rolling OF the eyes,
one after another OF the slaves would
join In the dance ms the spirit moved
him or her to do so till the musician
was surrounded by ring Of black and
yellow twisting, wriggling. hysterIcal
negroes. who for the time were thou
sands Of miles away In the heart OF
superstitlous Africa. one 10y one they
would fall to the ground exhausted.
when their places would he taken 10y
others who were Just beginning to feel
the moving OF the spirit. II was not
unusual for this wild dance 10 continue
through two days New York Tribune.