Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1913-01-24
PUEBLO WOMAN AND HER HonE

retained. prefixing that of the saint,
as San Geronimo de Taos, San Diego
de Tesuque, and In others the Pueblo
has no name but that Of the saint as
San Juan. Santa Clara, San PHILIPPE,
etc.. But in all the saint is the patron,
his or her image is in the village
church and the saints day is the occa-
sion Of the greatest public festival
The mixture of Christianity with the
old religion. or rather the way the
old religion is CLOSED over with Chris
tianity, is one Of the peculiarities Of
the Pueblo condition.
Their annual festivals as at present
conducted are well worth trip across
the continent to attend. 1t is no exag-
geration to say that no such gorgeous
spectacular displays Of color are any
where else to be seen, and the tourist
who visits New Mexico in time to be
present at the festival of San Juan on
June "a. and remains till that at Taos
ON September 30, meanwhile visiting
those at Cochih on July IA. Santo
Domingo, August 4. Santa Clara.
August IL, and Acoma, September 2.
will have seen more strange cere.
nonials, dramatic representations,
beautiful and weird dances and
spectacular effects than In a lifetime
Of travel in foreign lands. It is con-
stant source of wonder that Ameri-
cans will cross the ocean to distant
climes in search Of the interesting.
the novel and the beautiful. and neg
lect these marvellous exhibitions In
their own land.
Open Hospitality.
All the preparations for the cere-
monial dances occupy several weeks
in advance of the occasion; the young
er participants are carefully instruct
ed. and the garments and ornaments.
all Of which are precisely described as
to material. color. form. ETC.. are duly
prepared. On the preceding day .
temporary structure or booth is erect
ed on one side of the principal plaza,
the sides being covered with ever
greens and the inside being hung with
gorgeous Navajo blankets. The front
is open and at the back is placed q
table covered with blankets as tenn
porary altar. At sunrise Of the festi.
val day an official, who Is called o
herald. makes proclamation from the
housetops in various parts Of the
town that tho day is to be properly
celebrated. and calls on all to parti-
cipate. At o'clock mass is said In
the church, and ut its conclusion tho
people form procession and carry
the image Of the patron saint from
the church to the temporary altar In
the booth, where 1t remains all day.
Soon after the principal dance Of the
day begins and lasts for several hours.
Each pueblo Of any size contains two
Estufas or underground circular coun-
Gil chambers. and the people are divid.
ed into two parties or clans called
Chalchuite and Calabasa, one of which
belongs to each Estufa. The dancers
redezvous in the Estufas. and dance
alternately through the day, one set
relieving the other at stated inter
walls, SO that the dance itself Is con-
tinuous. The numbers vary accord.
Ing to the size Of the, pueblo.
Long before the dances begin the
pueblo is filed with visitors and every
house is thrown open to entertain the
guests. 1t is the time for the renewal
of old acquaintances, but the stranger
is as welcome as the Oldest friend.
and the spirit of hospitality rules tho
hour. In every house great ALA full
of stewed meat and vegetables is Of.
fered to the guest The scene on thu
plaza is one of peculiar brilliancy.
The ceremonial dresses Of the dan,
GERS are bright with color and, in
most cases. Of much richness and
beauty. The visiting Indians carry the
gaudiest and richest of Navajo blan.
kets, the bright scarlet In which adds
much To the picturesque nature Of ths
scene.