Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-01-20
Indians Pay Respects to Virgin
 Patron Saint

Washington, Jan. 19.-High above thousand Indians from all parts oi Mexico have just completed theii week of homage to their patron saint the Virgin of Guadalupe, and theii | pilgrimage to the shrine of the Vir- gin here, as sacred a journed as ever was made by Mohammedans tt Mecca or Hindus to the river Ganges | This ceremony marks the 38Stf anniversary of the traditional di. vine manifestation which resulted ir | the conversion to Christianity ol virtually all Indians in Mexico and led to the erection here of a mag nificent cathedral, several chapels and the shrine. It has been a week of prayer, church going and fiesta for the Indians.
 1 The incident from which the cer- emony had it's origin transpired, ac- cording to tradition, in 1531 when an Indian is said to have met on the present site of Guadalupe viii lage the apparition of the Blessed Virgin who imprinted her image up- on the cloth jcrkin the Indian was wearing. This miracle so impressed the Indians that shrine was erect ed here and later the cathedral and chapels. Through the succeeding centuries this has been the Mecca to which nearly all Indians of Mex | ico turn for one week during the year.
 The jerkin bearing the imprint is still preserved in the shrine, encas- ed in silver, gold and gems.
 Guadalupe Day." as the celebra tion is called, is a strange combina- ton of devotion and unbridled hilar- lity on the part of the Indians Guadalupe is within easy access from Mexico City and the festival always attracts many foreign spec tators from the capital.
 Thousands of the natives who have journeyed on foot or with bur- ros for hundreds of miles come bringing their tiny charcoal stoves upon which they cook their smelly food and for bed curl themselves into blanket and sleep on the ground. At least 30,000 of them were scattered over the spacious plazas and hills on the opening night when the ceremonies began with midnight mass.
 The shrine at the top of the hill marking the spot where the divine manifestation is said to have taken place is reached over n rude path way studded rocks and winding round the hill. Up this roadway trudge the natives singi''T their weird incantations and carrying offerings of fruits, flowers and animals to the Virgin. A few of the more de- vout cling to the custom of two centuries ago by crawling to the shrine on hands and knees with vio- lent beating of arms and wild la- mentations.
 The ceremony of devotion complet- ed the Indians return to the village and hold turbulent carnivals and in- dulge in their favorite stimulant pulque.
 There are tents for gambling, one of which is at the entrance to the gate to the cathedral enclosure. Food drink and souvenirs are sold at countless stalls. There is a "medi cine man" who astounds his specta- tators by changing a blue cloth to a red one and there are merry go rounls, pickpockets and foreigners with clicking cameras. At night, or chestras drone Indian melodies and the natives dance and sing.
 This alternating worship and merry making is continued for a week and then the groups disperse an dthe Indians start for home, leaving this little village again to it's year of serenity to await another Guadalupe Day"