Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1911-02-16
RELIGIOUS FEAST
OF zIRITzICUARO
An Interesting Letter From Mex
leo From Miss HELEN
Y. CAN'T

! on all sides by stately hlue mountains
lies one of the numerous Indian villages
OF the state of MichOacan, Ziritzi cuaro*.
Almost hidden from view, the shining
white tower of the ever present cathe-
dral betrays TO the sight of the APP
preaching party, the location of that
modest little place, which seems to be
hiding itself from the careless scrutiny
of sightseeers.
Riding down over the rock strewn
road, one is first awed by the beauty
of nature, for nature seems to have put
forth her very best efforts to make
| Mexico home for the gods. But soon
turn in the road brings us in view
and hearing of confusion and noise
which always accompanies great
crowds of people.
But why so many people in this little
town, usually with streets so deserted
and quiet? What means all this ex-
traOrdinary excitement, the presence
of so many booths, so many dealers
calling their wares, so much turmoil?
Ask one OF the many present inbabi-
taats and he will stand aghast at your
ignorance! This day, the great day
for the Indians OF this little town and
In all the surrounding country, is the
sixth of January and that day is one
marked with red letters for these SIM
pie people. Recall your biblical history
and you will remember the Visit OF
the Three Kings" the advent of the
magi, or the three kings or wisemen
from the East TO the crib of the newly
born Saviour. This is what calls the
pilgrims from all parts of the states,
from TOlucs and from Queretaro, to pay
homage to the Lord Of Ziritzicuaro In
the religions feast Of The Epiphany.
From all directions they come, ready
TO spend the three days in worship and
feastmaking-and 1t is festival day TO
all, those who are able to come In the
brightly adorned array, which is their
pride, to the poor Indian from the
mountain, who, not even talking the
Spanish language, is glad to have the
short, ragged skirt and coarse blanket
to cover his shoulders. And here and
there we see groups OF the classes
whom fortune has smiled on more
cheerfully, whose interest and curl.
Osity have brought them to view this |
most interesting OF feasts.
The market square is one seething |
mass of people, standing around the |
many booths, selling and buying. Here |
at one booth you can find the articles !
that notion counter may provide you |
at home, at another is displayed the |
homemade toys WHICH delight the !
children, at another the red and white /
Ice cream and so on. Here you see a |
group partaking of their lunch, the
''mOle de guajolste" and tortillas com
posing turkey with chile" the chief /
part, for this Is festival day and they /
can afford little more than the usual .
tortillas and beans. Vendors every
where keep supplies of this favorite |
Mexican dish, which, in spite of the
presence OF the chile, is quite an ap-
petizing preparation.
A little more confusion in another
place shows US that here too law must
prevail and il liquor is sold and drunk
the offender must pay the penalty.
But let us leave these people for a
time and enter the yard of the cattle
dral. Here a new sight meets our
eyes. 1t is here that are celebrated .
tom which probably lived before the
coming OF COrtez and which every year
are used as an exhibition of religious
fervor.
At first pandemonium seems to pre-
conquered or else az attempt is being
made to rOrce them from the court OF
God. But a little later the confusion
dissolves itself into groups of people
watching the earnest movements of the
dancers. One group consists of several
women dressed in white, with small /
hats on their heads,
in their hands large canes with bells.
Accompanied by the music of a hand 1
made harp they swing together in a
rythmical dance, chanting a weird,
melancholy song concerning the !
crucifixiOn of the Saviour. Between
the stanzas of the song they strike the /
ground with their canes. AT first one
Is inclined TO smile In ridicule, but the
earnest, devout expression OF the
dancers changes your feelings. In
another corner a larger group OF people .
attracts our attention. Here q mock
bull fight Is going on in the form of
dance, the dancers, masked, represent
ing the picadors and toreros contend
ing against an imitation bull carried |
by man.
Our Maypole In all its intricacies is |
danced 10 another part by fantastically .
dressed men with their garments !
heavily braided and beaded. Another
group performs an exceedingly intricate |
and fantastic dance around the banner
of Guadalupe. With their feather
decorated hats and their guitars made
OF the armadillo, they present a wierd |
sight, as in discOndant voices they sing |
OF their patron saint, Guadalupe. |
Evidently they too believe somewhat |
In mascots, for these men and large |
boys are accompanied in their dance |
by small girl, who, as fantas .ically
dressed as they, occupies the center OF
the ring.
But not only in the court OF the
church do we see these dances, but
even Ia the church itself are many
paying homage 10 their Lord In the
same manner. The church is full OF
grouDs OF dancers, seemingly q little
sacrilegiOus TO ns, but 20 them as wor.