The Detroit times., 1910-11-18

immemorial. Hitherto even the par
aphernalia Of the dance has been kept
from the prying eye of the inQuisitive
camera. The Indians believe that
grave harm, and even death, will be-
fall one who permits such dissertation
OF the trappings OF their ancient rites.
For years photographers have at
tempted TO get photographs Of this
weird festival. The only reward they
have reaped for their pains has been
crop OF smashed cameras This
year. however, a substantial bride, a
play upon the ties OF friendship and
clever ruse turned the trick A pho
tograph OF brave was secured In the
woods, half a mile from the scene of
the dance. That OF the dance itself
was taken by a camera smuggled into
the camp in covered auto The back
curtain OF the auto was raised. the
camera focused, the flash fred-and
then the auto sped to place of safety
before the Indians had a chance to
destroy the negative.
The Apaches are prisoners OF w6r
on the Fort Sill military reserve. Sol.
diers stood guard about them while
the dance was in progress.
With the appearance of the first red
leaves of fall, Chief Asa-da.lu.gie. up.
on whose shoulders the mantle Of
Geronimo fell when that aged chief
tain died, called his folks together
and announced that the time was
come for the fall love dance. Boost.
keith, daughter of a wealthy Apache,
was selected as the maiden in whose
honor the dance should be given, and
invitations were sent out to the
neighboring Kiowas and Comanches
i With solemn incantations and much
beating OF tom-toms the fire was
kindled. Many beeves were killed and
a great quantity of meat was broiled
over the Goals. All day long, from
the tents of the medicine men. sound
ed the beat of the tom-tom and the
weird "Ki-yah, ki.yah, XII
YAH" with the Xxi" always coming on
the accented beat OF the tom.
Darkness comes. The music stors
From the fringe of the forest about
the camp sounds a voice I'm a prayer
of thanksgiving to the Great Spirit for
the. blessings vouchsafed the tribe
More chanting. Then the heralded
cries: "Anococ-ho! Ano-coc-ho!"
The dancers are coming.
Like a muffed chorus OF screech-
owls sounds the song OF the approach
ing dancers The cry OF the little owl
Is the only thing on earth, except yer
haps the cry OF the loon, that in any
way resembles the tTemolo cry of the
Apache dancer. Presently six Of the
most grotesque forms imaginable be-
come dimly visible as they approach
through the forest 4 moment and
they trot In single file into the cirC le
about the big central fire.
The heads OF these dancers are
adorned by the great three-horned
Aheadgear GIt-aI. The faces are en-.
tirely concealed by a black mask. and
the body Is covered by a thick coat
of brilliant red, blue and black paint.
THE lower half OF the body is clothed
lin q buckskin tuniC. From the belt
and leggings hundreds of tiny bells
ARE suspended
The six dance up close TO the fire,
salute it by raising their swords TO
the horns Of their headgear-
-retI eat--and finally bring their song
ito climax I'm thousand staccato
syelps-and the dance Is on
II lasts till sun-up There are soy.
eral figures" with n different song
fOr. each. I'm the final figure members
pf all the tribes and even white spec
tatOrs Join. dancing in circles about
the FIRE. The suitors and the maid in
whose honor the dance is given. how.
ever. are the only dancers who ap.
bear i'm the opening figure, the
crown" dance, which lasts three
hours.
Between midnight and the rising
. Ipf the Sunday morning sun Boost
Dketh selected her lover-and the great
tall love dance ended with a speech
FROM the chief.