The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-08-15
Indians Dance
TOSYMBOLIzE|
AZTEC HISTORY
Mexican Village Holds
Z Odd, Week-LOng
Celebration
BY BRICKNELLE UBANKS
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
san Lorenzo, Chihuahua. Mexico,
Aug. 15-(UP)-Dance rites Of a
civilization long dead come to life
again tomorrow (Aug. 1O) when IN
dian inhabitants of this little north
er1 Mexico village end week-long
ceremonial honormg their patron
saint San Lorenzo.
Climaxing the annual feast Of San
Lorenzo est. Lawrence) is a cere-
mony whose origin is long forgot
ten. It bears marked resemblance
to certain parts of the old Aztec
Sun Dance, and woven among the
rites is the historical pageantry of
the Spanish conquest Of Mexico, and
a faithful devotion Of tenets Of the
Catholic Church.
The ceremony begins at dawn in
this little village just south Of the
u. s. border. Grotesquely masked
and costumed participants shuttle
in measured cadence into the vii
lage churchyard, where they offer
individual prayers and ask favors of
San Lorenzo.
Wear Aztec Color
Then the dancers, carrying bows
and arrows and gourd rattles, and
bedecked IN shirt-like costumes Of
bright red-the old Aztec color
begin their pagan weaving and
rocking, with weird chanting. Their
heads, upon which have been plac-
ed plumed head dresses and fierce
masks, not in time with the rhyth-
mic beat Of the tom-toms accom-
panying the shrill flute and thrum-
ming guitar.
The dance is part of the votive
LAS Matachines", rites, which are
older than the coming Of the Con-
quistadores and are celebrated in
the less urban parts of Mexico on
three big days during the year. Aug.
10, San Lorenzo day, is one of them.
The dances, according to the In
dams themselves, represent the
struggle between good and evil, and
have many variations according to
the locality and the group perform
ing.
No historian or anthropologiSt
has been able to determine the ex-
act origin of the dance, but the
rites are believed to be a mixture
of ideas handed down through CEN
turtles. Certain basic gestures lead
experts to believe that the dance is
based on the old Aztec sun worship
ping ceremonial Superimposed Is
dramatic idea OF the story of Cor
tez and Montezuma and the con-
quest Of Mexico. Catholic priests
preside at masses during the day
and permit the crowd to use the
churchyard and saints banners to
offer individual prayers.
Three Figures Prominent
There are only three readily iden-
tifiable figures in the dance-Ma-
linche, representing Good; FL Chi
rion, Evil and Montezuma (Monar-
col, the leader of the people.
Historically, Malinche was an In
dian girl who deserted her tribe to
become Cortez' mistress and who led
him and his Spanish followers as
their guide and interpreter
In the rites on San Lorenzo day,
Ell Chirion. usually the tallest man
IN the village, heads the group of
evil spirits. These evil forces are
armed with long rope whips. They
pretend to frighten onlookers and
try to divert Malinche and Monar-
portrayed by the handsomest
man in the tribe-and the Gente
(people) frcm good.
Malinche additionally is played
by young, serious maiden, who
may be buxom. but often as not this
part Is enacted by slim. big-eyed
boy--chosen because he can endure
the long hours of dancing better.
Vague Conception Held
The Indian dancers seldom can
give explanations Of what they are
doing. They refer vaguely to
strengthening themselves, especial
ly through prayer, or Of placating
heaven by performing a long vigil
which because of its fatiguing and
wearying offering is pleasing to God.
AL day, without stop, the dam
GERS 60 through the long, sweeping
motions, rocking backwards and
forwards, and at times going into a
two-footed shuttle. The bystanders
are amused by the antics of Ell Chi
rion, who, In addition to being
bad" furnishes the comedy for the
day. Although with his long rope
whip Ell Chirion Is supposed to
brighten the crowd, any foolery on
his part toward the audience is
permissible.
The poorer Indians who cannot
afford the vivid costumes pieced to-
gether by the rest of the partici-
pants. turn their pants inside out
and daub red color on them. All |
participants carry gourd rattles tc |
scare away the evil spirits.