File:The American Museum journal (c1900-(1918)) (17540629383).jpg

Title: The American Museum journal
Identifier: americanmuseumjo18amer (find matches)
Year: c1900-(1918) (c190s)
Authors: American Museum of Natural History
Subjects: Natural history
Publisher: New York : American Museum of Natural History
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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LAST DAXCE OF Till-: I'KIL'IS 311 cane was presented by the King of Siiuin when these Indians were under Spanish rule, before the United States acquired the ter- ritory. On feast days tiie governor carries these insignia of liis otlicc with great (irido and dignity. When the race was over, tlie racers again fornu^d two sections of thirteen each and began the "Dance of the Races." These two small groups presented a pathetic jiic- ture, trying to enact a drama in which for- merly the chants of hundreds had echoed in these same mountain tops. The dance step of the old men had the masterful movement of the great past, and their chant was rich in the spirit they sent heavenward; but it was dift'erent with the short-haired Americanized boys. The performance was very brief. The groups of dancers jiassed through the plaza once, and then on to the kivas. This Indian village once had so many dancers taking part in its fiestas that five kivas, or sacred chambers, were required, each accommodating a hundred warriors. This time the two small groups of dancers hurriedly closed the dance and disappeared into two of the kivas, leaving three vacant. In the olden days the dance started at sun- rise and stopjied at sunset. This dance lasteil scarcely thirty minutes, and when the dancers disappeared into the kivas a death- like stillness settled over the famous Picuris pueblo, which made mourners of the hand- ful of American visitors, who had seen the last (lance of the Picuris. — Chalmers Lowell Paxcoast.
Text Appearing After Image:
The small group of Iiidiaii> taking part in the Dance of the Races is in mournful contrast with the hundreds who in former years joined in the ceremon.v of the old time Scalp Dance. They are here about to enter the kiva at the close of the dance

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