The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-06-15
INTERESTING
INTERVIEW Of
INDIAN TRIBES
PROF. G. w. cAVINEss OF MEX
lCO, is NOW IN WASHINGTON
AND HAS GIVEN SOME INSIDE
FACTS ABOUT THE RED MEN.
BY WINFIELD JONES.

Washington, June 14.-An account of
the few remaining tribes Of the Indians
OF North America was given today in
an interview with Prof. G. W. Gavin
ess, OF Mexico, now visiting Washing
ton as delegate to the worlds confer
ence Of Seventh Day Adventists, at
Takorna Park. He said:
TT is well known that when Mexico
was discovered there were a mum Der
of different tribes Of Indians, and al
though most of them have amalgamated
more or less with the Spaniards, yet
some Of the tribes retain many of their
tribal characteristics.
Tn the state of Oaxaca, especially in
the southern part, there still exists a
remnant Of the Zapotecan tribe, said
to number about 100000. They are civ
ilized, but retain the use Of their prim-
tive language in the family, though in
business and IN the schools the Spanish
tongue is used.
They live in villages, and the land
round about the village is held in COM
mon. Each family chooses a location
In the village and builds house which
Is very primitive indeed. Poles are set
in the ground at the corners and at
convenient distances apart along the
sides, and on these are placed beams
which support the matched roof made
OF palm leaves. The walls formed of
small poles and twice interviewer, are
plestered with mud and then white
washed. Usually there is no. floor but
the earth. There thew live. but each
one goes outside the village and chooses
a small patch of ground, which he
clears up and cultivates. This is his
as long as he uses it, but he has no
permanent title.
las a rule, the people are rather tall,
strong, and we'll built Since theft
country is in the hot lands, their cloth
ing is scanty and simple The men
wear cotton trousers and shirt, go
barefooted, or perhaps wear sandals.
The women also dress simply, though
in the city of Tehauntepec they have
special costume consisting of a blouse,
very high colored, which leaves the
arms entirely bare; the upper part of
the skirt is usually Of dark color, but
from the knee down it is pure white.
The head dress reminds one of pea
cocks tail, except that it also is pure
white. 1t is spread out over the head,
standing out in all directions about
foot, in a semi circle. 1t is a sort OF
bonnet with a stiff ruffle. The whole
dress gives the wearer a striking ap-
pearance. This is said to be the dress
of the bellies of the place, So of course,
is not worn by all.
These people generally lead the
simple life, and while they cannot be
called progressive, yet they do take
considerable interest in education, some
of them being quite well informed. In
any books, and the prediction is made
that the language will die out in the
near future. They are not much given
to amusements. The principal enter
tainment, which, doubtless, they re-
ceived from the Spaniards, is cock
fighting.
Their furniture is very rude and
simple The beds are pieces of tent
cloth, each stretched between two
poles, on crossed legs like a sawhorse;
this, with pillow and sheet is all one
needs. The rest of the furniture con-
sists usually of few chairs, a table,
and a few boxes set up on benches, in
which they keep their clothes. Whi2e
these articles of furniture are simple
looking objects, yet when one attempts
to lift them, he finds they are very
heavy. On asking what they are made