The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-04-06
The Human Procession

vacations. intent chiefly upon getting together, and indifferent or only mildly interested in the turbulent pol itics of the country "A curse upon both your houses!' expresses the at- titude of the average peon toward Federa1ists and Constitutionalists. It has been said that the Mexicans, 8 people, are fond of. carnage and bIoodshed, but this statement, while true of a sufficient number to keep hold good of the majority. Religion. rather than IniIitancy. is the prevail ing Mexican characteristic. In their way-a spectacular and emotional way-the Mexicans are the most reli- gious people on earth, and their pious efnotionalism reaches it's height dur ing Holy Week. Many and strange are the ceremonies that mark the de- votionaI observanees of the week be- ginning today. In the churches and cathedrals of the cities the impres- sive symbolism of the ritual of the Spanish branch of the Catholic church will characterize the services, but among the Indians and half breeds of the interior the Holy Week ceremonies will be barbarfc in their realism.
 In many of the remote parts of Mexico pagan practices that are relics of Aztec days still survive and have been grafted on Christianity. One of
 
 these pagan survivals is the Mata- china dance ceremonial. which is en- acted during Holy Week. and which will commence today and continue through Easter Sunday. .Participa- ton in these dances is usually con fined to the male sex, although girls are occasionally permitted to take part.zi Costumes as horrible and fan tastic as can be conceived by local designers are worn by the dancers, while the masks which cover their faces as grisIy enough to cause the bravest to shudder. The dancers con tinue their weird and at times ob- scene gyrations until they fall from exhaustion or succumb to the rays of the blazing sun. After a rest they resume the dance, which continues from Monday to Easter Sunday.
 Burning the devil is a popular pas time of Mexfcans during Holy Week, and this ceremony may be witnessed in every city. village and hacienda. Each day dummy representing the evil one is placed in the plaza, and men, women and children gather about the effigy and yell themselves hoarse.. Each person attempts to get fragment of the -.devil. = as it is supposed to bring good luck during the following year. and when the orgy has reached it's height the dummy is either soaked with oil and burned or blown up with gunpowder.
 In Mexican churches. where the Spanish ritual prevails, the ceremon- ies are highly impressive and solemn. The office of the Tenebrae is chant ed every day, commencing today, un- til Good Friday evening. A gigantic candlestick in each place of worship holds fifteen candles, one being white symbolic of Jesus, and the others brown These candles are quenched
 one after the other. during the pro- gress of the services The candle stick, huge in size. is triangular in shape. symbolic of the Trinity, and the fifteen candles represent the if teen mysteries in the life and death of Jesus. At the conclusion of the service the whitescandle is relighted in comnem oratfon of the resurrec. ton. In several Mexican towns, not. l ably Pedricena in Durango, a Passion Play is given annually during Holy Week. the peons acting the various roles Until the authorities stopped the practice. real crucifixions marked these productions.