Archives of aboriginal knowledgeContaining all the original paper laid before Congress respecting the history, antiquities, language, ethnology, pictography, rites, superstitions, and mythology, of the Indian tribes of the United States . em. Every man carried in his hand a gourd, partlyfilled with little pebbles, which he shook in exact time with the music. They dancewith a kind of hop-step, and the figure is something like a countermarch; the coupleleading up towards the church, and then turning, filed back again. The squaws eachcarried in their hands a square-cut piece of corn husk, which i
Archives of aboriginal knowledgeContaining all the original paper laid before Congress respecting the history, antiquities, language, ethnology, pictography, rites, superstitions, and mythology, of the Indian tribes of the United States . em. Every man carried in his hand a gourd, partlyfilled with little pebbles, which he shook in exact time with the music. They dancewith a kind of hop-step, and the figure is something like a countermarch; the coupleleading up towards the church, and then turning, filed back again. The squaws eachcarried in their hands a square-cut piece of corn husk, which is held between thethumb, at its base, and the root of the fore-finger. They keep their elbows close totheir sides, and-their heels pressed firmly together, and do not raise the feet, but shufflealong with a kind of -rolling motion, moving their arms, from the elbows down, withtime to the step. At times, each man dances around his squaw; while she turnsherself about, as if her heels formed a pivot on which she moved. Dancers, tombi,and singers, keep most excellent time; and there is no discord among the dancing a short time in front of the church, they went into the Plaza, and con-tinued till dark, when th(y Znp-arred. hy Hbriaii i- MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 75 Dec. 2btJi. — The dancing began at an early hour this morning, and was continuedtill dark. There were two or three parties dancing, each having its own tombi andsingers; and at times the din was almost deafening. The whole population of thetown was out, all dressed in their best, as well as many from the neighboring pueblos;and every one seemed to be enjoying himself to the utmost. Old Jose Maria, thegovernor, would every now and then stop singing, and come over to me, to ask me ifit was not delightful. What a simple, happy people they seem to be! But much Ifear that ere long civilization will break in upon them, and, opening their eyes to athousand wants of which they at present know nothing, will r
Size: 1326px × 1885px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade186, booksubjectindiansofnorthamerica
