The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-11-21

giving to the sun and rain gods for
their respective efforts in aiding the
growth of corn and grass. There is
very little rain in Arizona and New
Mexico where the Navajo reservation
lies, hence with the western Indian
rain is constant subject for prayer.
The NavajOs living near mountains,
where, of course, more moisture Oc-
ours, have constructed a rude irriga-
ton system from the mountain
streams and thus raise very good
corn.
During the day set aside for the
Yabichi the medicine men and deSig-
mated officials of the locality hold
ceremony in which blessed corn meal,
corn pollen and feathers of the rain
bird are used. Few outsiders have
ever been admitted to these meetings.
The same night begins a general good
time and feasting for everybody.
There are contests between groups
of singers and dancers representing
various sections of the tribe. These
take place in the light of a large
campfire and, while one group is per-
forming for the large gathering of
Navajos who stand about wrapped to
the eyes in their blankets, there can
be heard in the distance the low
rhythm of other groups practicing-a
kind of backstage rehearsal. In some
respects this low rhythmical rehearsal
is more beautiful than the main per-
Torrance, where one of the points of
superiority is the loudness of the sing
ing.
The performers, who are always
men, are almost nude, wearing only
jewelry, feathers and fox tails. The
performers keep perfect step and their
singing is in perfect unison. A clown
wearing a hideous mask always &C.
companies each group of performers
and with his antics tries to confuse
them.
These Yabichis last all night and
are spectacular affairs in their wild,
semi-desert, sage brush and sand set
ting, the Pickering campfres shining
on the crowds of brightly blanketed
onlookers and the 1.-THE, shining bodies
of the dancers.
Once in a great while a weaver will
dare to weave the figures of these
Yabichi dancers into rug. The Nav
ajo believes that after death the spirit
is likely to come back and inhabit the
picture instead of the body itself.
Although we look upon the English
settlers of New England as the orig
inators of our Thanksgiving day, we
should not forget that the Dutch who
settled the New Amsterdam which be-
came New York also contributed
something to the day. For there is
no doubt that the Pilgrims, while they
ner in which the Dutch celebrated on
October the deliverance of their
country from Spain with much feast
ing and in a spirit of thankfulness,
were somewhat influenced by the char
acter of this celebration in establish
ing their own Thanksgiving day after
they came to America.
Then, too, Thanksgiving as it is OBJ
served in New York city today is in
| many respects so different from the
| New England Thanksgiving as to
cause the stranger in Gotham to in
| quire into the Mardi Gras nature Of
the day, and the answer is that it is
survival of an old Dutch custom.
For New York holds a great num-
mers' show on Thanksgiving, that is
| to say, juvenile New York does. For
while their elders are going to church
to acknowledge their blessings and
| housewives and cooks are busy pre-
| pairing the Thanksgiving dinner, the
youngsters are engaged in blacking
their faces and turning their clothes
inside out, or converting themselves
into clowns and caricatures Of movie
actors and hobgoblins.
1t is juvenile celebration almost
| exclusively, though now and then one
beholds bedecked adult ingratiating-
| ly trying to come in on the shower Of
| pennies. Mostly the coppers are well
earned. To the tune of mouth harps,
| comb and tissue paper and other child
ish instruments, or just whistle,
| pigeon wings are cut, hand springs are
| turned, songs are rendered and break
| downs executed, in keen competition
] for something for Thanksgiving"