The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-07-18

lance by the banks Of the Rio de Tehu
antepec, then cutting off across cOun
try to Salina Cruz, the Pacific port
Here the little Indian village o
years ago has given place to a nev
town, built on higher ground ant
dotted here and there with comfortable
bungalows, the homes Of English res
idents.
Fierce "northers" rage on the 18th
mus the greater part Of the year, ant
the long swell Of the Pacific causes 6
lists, 1t was found necessary to build
one-an outer refuge harbor, and ar
inner harbor with dry-dock and
] wharves.
The country through which the rail-
way runs Is In many respects Of great
interest. The tropical nature, the many
different tribes Of Indians living along
the rivers and in the hills, their pc
culiar customs and picturesque garb
furnish an interesting study.
The different Indians today inhabit-
ing the isthmus, descendants Of once
powerful tribes, still show enough dis
tinctive characteristics to enable one
to judge OF their ancestors. The
Agualulcos, Aztecs, Huaves, Mics,
Zapotecos and Zoques are among these.
The Agualulcos and Aztecs dwell in
the northern part Of the isthmus.
Though outwardly conforming to the
Catholic religion, they still retain many
Of their old customs and superstitions.
Among these Indians the memory Of
Dona Marina, or Malinche, as the In
dams called her, is still revered. AL
though acting as interpreter and guide
to Cortez, she seems to have been
greatly beloved by the Indians
The Miles live In the mountains to
the west, In the town Of San Juan
Guichicovi. They are exceedingly ig-
norant, bold, and rather repulsive in
appearance. History classes them as
having been at one time the most bru-
tai and idolatrous Of all the isthmus
tribes
The Miles covet Mules.
The greatest ambition Of Mile is to
possess more mules than his neighbor.
Just why is hard to understand, as
they prefer to carry their burdens on
their own backs. I
They get good crops of maize, beans,
and rice from their milpas, which are
well taken care of, but they work fitful-
ly, are great drunkards, and very dis
honest.
The Zoques, who live in the moun-
tains between the Chichijapa valley
and the Rio del Corte, are, like the
Mics, very fond of teQuila, the ma
tive alcohol, but more industrious and
of more pleasing appearance.
The Huave tribe, now dwindled to
a thousand or two live in few towns
on the Pacific coast. They are very
different from the other tribes, and |
claim to be descended from a power
full tribe in Peru.
greater part Of the southern division
Of the isthmus, are hard working, gen.
tie, and intelligent, and at one time
we're highly cultured nation.
The various Indian languages are
now little else than ill-spoken dialects
pieced out with Spanish words and
sentences.
Somewhat below medium height, the
indians possess unusual muscular
strength. They are often able to car
" for several hours on their shoulders,
lnder the rays Of the tropical sun, car
,oes weighing from 100 to 200 pounds
The women are gracefully built, and
n some tribes remarkably beautiful.
this is especially true Of the Tehuana
women. Their stately carriage, regu-
ar features, and beautiful soft brown
yes, added to their fascinating COS
umes, mark them with distinction and
irresistible charm. They wear the
sual Indian corte, or enagua derollada
rolled skirt), which Is nothing more
r less than straight piece Of cotton
10th, generally one meter wide and
wo meters long, dyed red, blue, pur-
lie, or a checked red and white; a
hort chemlse, or cotton. sleeveless and
nth low neck, coming just to the
,aistline. 1t Is made Of cotton ma
erial in different colors or of velvet.
nd shows to great advantage the ,,
awny. perfectly formed arms and
houlders. The browning touch, how
yer, Is their headdress. Shaped some
omewhat like short japanese
imono, with wide nounce Of
tarched and plated white cotton lace
!. Is thrown over the head so tn at thu
tiffened lacey fiounce stands out about q
no face like fan-shaped frame. Tn,
sst Of the garment, alas hsngs igno :
down the back. :