Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-12-16
CHRISTMAS IN MEXICO
SUNSHINE BLUE SKIES AND GAYETY-THE FUN OF THE PINATA AND HOW ALL GLASS Es ENJOY IT-THE STORY OF THE PA
 SADA-OLD SEElIPAGAN CUSTOMS

,pinata falls to the ground in hun ] dreds of bits and it's contents are seat tered far and wide.
 Animated Scenes.
 A wild scramble ensues. Every body rushes forward to gather d: : much of the spilled contents as pos sible. The youngsters tumble all ovel each other and the floor is in a pretty condition. As the floors of Mexican houses are of brick, except in the homes of the wealthy, or the more modern residences in the new parts of the city, the crushed dulces, nuts and fruits are easily disposed of.
 The fortunate breaker of the pinata gets handsome prize and is awarded the seat of honor. He or she sits down and is debarred from another trial at then breaking of another pin ata As soon as the confusion dies down and order is somewhat restored another olla is hung up and the same routine gone through. So the fun continues until the last pinata is bro ken and the nthe prizes are awarded.
 In families of means these prizes are often valuable pieces of jewelry. In the poorer families they are some l little typical product of the country in pottery or feather work or bask- cry.
 The pinata party is the great social and funmaking feature of the Christ mas season. After the pinatas have been roken and supper has been serv- ling company of Indians from the mountains is brought in to sing and dance in native costume.
 These travelling Indians are some what like the singing bands which go around at Christmas time from house to house in England, Germany France and Italy. They have been known and popular in Mexico from time i'm memorial. They are relics of Aztec civilization, and no one seems 10 know whence they came. nor why. They seem to be very popular ad are much in demand during the Christmas holi- day season.
 The Pasada.
 The crib, which i5 Il feature Of Christmas ceremonies ia Jta Catholic churches throughout the United States and is familiar sight to Port estaats, is als0 seen in Mexico, but at tended with much ceremony and oc- cupying the nine days before Christ mas day.
 At one time it was tAa universal ! ceremony in the church. and was one Of great magnificenee and beauty, but | so many abuses crept ,n that finally l the public function was .3rbidden by the sovernmeat, anG the aasada, as it is called, can be seen and heard only in the homes of pioug Mexicans.
 The pasada typiHes the wanderings of Mary and Joseph previous to the l birth of our Savior and their many pleas for shelter, with the attending | refusals on the part of the impious. { Mexican houses are we'll adapted for this ceremony, as all the rooms open | into a patio or square court and run along side by side in a straight line.
 Apadrina and madrina Synonymous with godfather and godmother) are 1 selected and they carry the holy child 1 ia WaXen image) wrapped in swad- ding clothes and lying on a cushion The family and immediate relatives, carrying lighted candles, follow two by two. The procession wends it's way slowly along the open corridor, singing the hymn of the pasada, knocking at each door in turn, one side asking shelter, the other refus- ing.
 The door of the last room is then opened, which is generally that of the private chapel, to be found in nearly crib or what is called the "acosta- miento del Nino."
 For eight nights this is merely a cradle or basket in which to place the child for safekeeping over night, but on Christmas eve, when the door is opened and the holy pilgrims are bidden to enter, sight meets the eye whic his dazzling in proportion to the wealth of the household.
 Thousands of dollars are spent on the acostaminentos by wealth Mexi- cans. Sometimes they represent the hil lof Bethlehem, covered with trees and flowers, little Mexican houses nestling in groves, focks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle and the ever useful mules, calmly browsing, witt here and there figures of Mexican ,,,n, oc1 vyoroou tboi,. o.,