The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft Part 81

[943] 'Tienen enfrente deste Pueblo vn cerro altissimo, con vna punta que descuella soberviamente, casi entre la Region de las nubes, y coronase con vna muy dilatada muralla de lossas de mas de vn estado de alto, y quentan de las pinturas de sus characteres historiales, que se retiraban alli, para defenderse de sus enemigos.' _Burgoa_, _Geog.

Descrip._, tom. i., pt. ii., fol. 167. 'Comencaron luego a tocar las bozinas, pitos, trompetillas, y atabalejos de gente de guerra.'

_Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. ii., lib. ii., cap. xvii., and lib. iv., cap. xi. Also see _Cogolludo_, _Hist. de Yucathan_, pp. 5, 77-8; _Navarrete_, _Col. de Viages_, tom. iii., pp. 60-3; _Helps' Span.

Conq._, vol. ii., p. 263.

[944] _Dampier's Voyages_, vol. ii., pt. ii., p. 115; _Burgoa_, _Palestra Hist._, pt. i., fol. 110; _Bra.s.seur de Bourbourg_, _Voy.

Tehuantepec_, p. 196; _Charnay_, _Ruines Americaines_, p. 454. 'Sobre vna estera si la tiene, que son muy pocos los que duermen en alto, en tapescos de cana ... ollas, o hornillos de tierra ... casolones, xicaras.' _Burgoa_, _Geog. Descrip._, tom. ii., pt. ii., fol. 294, 393.

[945] 'Los zoques cultivan ... dos plantas pertenecientes a la familia de las _bromelias_, de las cuales sacan el _ixtle_ y la _pita_ cuyas hebras saben blanquear, hilar y tenir de varios colores. Sus hilados y las hamacas que tejen con estas materias, const.i.tuyen la parte princ.i.p.al de su industria y de su comercio'.... The Zapotecs, 'los tejidos de seda silvestre y de alG.o.don que labran las mugeres, son verdaderamente admirables.' _Moro_, in _Orozco y Berra_, _Geografia_, pp. 170, 180. Of the Miztecs it is said that 'las mugeres se han dado a texer con primor panos, y huepiles, a.s.si de alG.o.don como de seda, y hilo de oro, muy costosos.' _Burgoa_, _Geog. Descrip._, tom. i., pt. ii., fol. 143, and tom. ii., pt. ii., fol. 400. Further reference in _Barnard's Tehuantepec_, pp. 226-7; _Chilton_, in _Hakluyt's Voy._, vol. iii., p.

459; _Hutchings' Cal. Mag._, vol. ii., p. 394; _Wappaus_, _Geog. u.

Stat._, p. 163; _Waldeck_, _Voy. Pitt._, p. 49; _Gage's New Survey_, p.

236; _Muhlenpfordt_, _Mejico_, tom. ii., pt. i., pp. 198, 209.

[946] _Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. ii., lib. iii., cap. ii., lib. iv., cap. xi.; _Cogolludo_, _Hist. de Yucathan_, p. 2; _Morelet_, _Voyage_, tom. i., pp. 179, 214; _Shufeldt's Explor. Tehuantepec_, p. 123. 'Their canoes are formed out of the trunk of a single mahogany or cedar tree.'

_Dale's Notes_, p. 24. When Grijalva was at Cozumel 'vino una canoa.'

_Navarrete_, _Col. de Viages_, tom. iii., p. 56. The Huaves 'no poseyendo embarcaciones propias para arriesga.r.s.e en aguas de algun fondo, y desconociendo hasta el uso de los remos, no frecuentan mas que los puntos que por su poca profundidad no ofrecen mayor peligro.'

_Moro_, in _Garay_, _Reconocimiento_, p. 90.

[947] _Mill's Hist. Mex._, p. 158; _Palacios_, in _Orozco y Berra_, _Geografia_, p. 166; _Hermesdorf_, in _Lond. Geog. Soc., Jour._, vol.

x.x.xii., p. 547; _Bra.s.seur de Bourbourg_, _Voy. Tehuantepec_, p. 108; _Hutchings' Cal. Mag._, vol. ii., p. 394; _Macgregor's Progress of America_, vol. i., p. 849; _Moro_, in _Garay_, _Reconocimiento_, p. 93; _Stephens' Yucatan_, vol. ii., p. 14.

[948] 'Les seigneurs de Cuicatlan etaient, au temps de la conquete tres-riches et tres-puissants, et leurs descendants en ligne directe, decores encore du t.i.tre de caciques.' _Fossey_, _Mexique_, pp. 338-9. At Etla 'Herren des Ortes waren Caziken, welche ihn als eine Art von Mannlehen besa.s.sen, und dem Konige einen gewissen Tribut bezahlen mussten.' _Muhlenpfordt_, _Mejico_, tom. ii., pt. i., p. 188. The Miztecs 'tenian senalados como pregoneros, officiales que elegian por ano, para que todas las mananas al despuntar el Sol, subidos en lo mas alto de la casa de su Republica, con grandes vozes, llamasen, y exitasen a todos, diziendo salid, salid a trabajar, a trabajar, y con rigor executivo castigaban al que faltaba de su tarea.' _Burgoa_, _Geog.

Descrip._, tom. i., pt. ii., fol. 151, also _Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. iv., lib. x., cap. xi.

[949] 'Estava sujeta a diuersos Senores, que como Reyezuelos dominaban diuersos territorios ... pero antes auia sido toda sujeta a vn Senor, y Rey Supremo, y asi gouernada con gouierno Monarquico.' _Cogolludo_, _Hist. de Yucathan_, p. 60. 'En cada pueblo tenian senalados Capitanes a quienes obedecian.' _Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. iv., lib. x., cap.

ii-iv. For old customs and new, compare above with _Morelet_, _Voyage_, tom. i., p. 168, and _Ha.s.sel_, _Mex. Guat._, p. 267.

[950] 'With other presents which they brought to the conqueror were twenty female slaves.' _Helps' Span. Conq._, vol. ii., p. 264.

[951] 'Vbo en esta juridicion grandes errores, y ritos con las paridas, y ninos recien nacidos, lleuandolos a los rios, y sumergiendolos en el agua, hazian deprecacion a todos los animales aquatiles, y luego a los de tierra le fueran fauorables, y no le ofendieran.' _Burgoa_, _Geog.

Descrip._, tom. ii., pt. ii., fol. 329. 'Conservase entre ellos la creencia de que su vida esta unida a la de un animal, y que es forzoso que mueran ellos cuando este muere.' _Museo Mex._, tom. ii., pp. 554-5.

'Between husband and wife cases of infidelity are rare.... To the credit of the Indians be it also said, that their progeny is legitimate, and that the vows of marriage are as faithfully cherished as in the most enlightened and favored lands. Youthful marriages are nevertheless of frequent occurrence.' _Barnard's Tehuantepec_, p. 222. Women of the j.a.pateco race: 'their manners in regard to morals are most blameable.'

_Hermesdorf_, in _Lond. Geog. Soc., Jour._, vol. x.x.xii., p. 543. Moro, referring to the women of Jaltipan, says: 'Son de costumbres sumamente libres: suele decirse ademas que los jaltipanos no solo no las celan, sino que llevan las ideas de hospitalidad a un raro exceso.' _Garay_, _Reconocimiento_, p. 116; _Ferry_, _Costal L'Indien_, pp. 6-7; _Registro Yucateco_, tom. i., p. 166.

[952] 'Iuntauanse en el Capul, que es vna casa del comun, en cada barrio, para hazer casamientos, el Cazique, el Papa, los desposados, los parientes: estando sentados el senor, y el Papa, llegauan los contrayentes, y el Papa les amonestaua que dixessen las cosas que auian hecho hasta aquella hora.' _Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. iv., lib. x., cap. xi.

[953] _Dampier's Voyages_, vol. ii., pt. ii., p. 114; _Herrera_, _Hist.

Gen._, dec. iv., lib. x., cap. iv.; _Ternaux-Compans_, in _Nouvelles Annales des Voy._, 1843, tom. xcvii., p. 50; _Stephens' Yucatan_, vol.

ii., pp. 15-16; _Laet_, _Novus...o...b..s_, p. 272; _Dicc. Univ._, tom. iv., p. 256; _Baeza_, in _Registro Yucateco_, tom. i., p. 166.

[954] 'Their amus.e.m.e.nts are scarcely worthy of note ... their liveliest songs are sad, and their merriest music melancholy.' _Barnard's Tehuantepec_, p. 222. 'Afectos a las bebidas embriagantes, conocen dos particulares, el _chorote_, y el _balche o guarapo_, compuesto de agua, cana de azucar, palo-guarapo y maiz quemado.' _Orozco y Berra_, _Geografia_, p. 162. See also: _Fossey_, _Mexique_, pp. 343, 364; _Dampier's Voyages_, vol. ii., pt. ii., p. 115; _Stephens' Yucatan_, vol. i., pp. 144-5; _Charnay_, _Ruines Americaines_, pp. 496-7.

[955] 'Provinciae Guazacualco atque Ylutae nec non et Cueztxatlae indiginae, multas ceremonias Iudaeorum usurpabant, nam et circ.u.mcidebantur, more a majoribus (ut ferebant) accepto, quod alibi in hisce regionibus ab Hispanis hactenus non fuit observatum.' _Laet_, _Novus...o...b..s_, p. 261.

'They appear to regard with horror and avoid with superst.i.tious fear all those places reputed to contain remains or evidences of their former religion.' _Shufeldt's Explor. Tehuantepec_, p. 125. See further: _Museo Mex._, tom. ii., pp. 554-5; _Charnay_, _Ruines Americaines_, pp. 265, 286; _Burgoa_, _Geog. Descrip._, tom. ii., pt. ii., fol. 281-2, 290, 313, 332, 335-6, 397; _Id._, _Palestra Hist._, fol. 110; _Moro_, in _Garay_, _Reconocimiento_, pp. 90, 93; _Dicc. Univ._, tom. iv., p. 257.

[956] _Burgoa_, _Geog. Descrip._, tom. ii., pt. ii., fol. 329; _Baeza_, in _Registro Yucateco_, tom. i., p. 168; _Morelet_, _Voyage_, tom. i., p. 313; _Hermesdorf_, in _Lond. Geog. Soc., Jour._, vol. x.x.xii., p.

543. 'Ay en esta tierra mucha diuersidad de yeruas medicinales, con que se curan los naturales.' _Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. iii., lib. vii., cap. iii. The Maya 'sabe las virtudes de todas las plantas como si hubiese estudiado botanica, conoce los venenos, los antidotos, y no se lo ocultan los calmantes.' _Orozco y Berra_, _Geografia_, pp. 158, 162, 178.

[957] _Ternaux-Compans_, in _Nouvelles Annales des Voy._, 1843, tom.

xcvii., p. 51; _Museo Mex._, tom. ii., p. 554. 'En Tamiltepec, los indios usan de ceremonias supersticiosas en sus sepulturas. Se les ve hacer en los cementerios pequenos montones de tierra, en los que mezclan viveres cada vez que entierran alguno de ellos.' _Berlandier y Thovel_, _Diario_, p. 231.

[958] The Miztecs 'siempre de mayor reputacion, y mas politicos.'

Zapotecs 'naturalmente apazibles, limpios, lucidos, y liberales.'

Nexitzas 'astutos, maliciosos, inclinados a robos, y desacatos, con otros Cerranos supersticiosos, acostumbrados a aleuosias, y hechizeros.'

_Burgoa_, _Geog. Descrip._, tom. i., pt. ii., fol. 151, tom. ii., pt.

ii., fol. 202, 312, also fol. 204, 211, 228, 271, 282, 294, 335, 400.

Choles, 'nacion ... feroz, guerrera e independiente.' _Balbi_, in _Orozco y Berra_, _Geografia_, p. 167. 'Siendo los Indios Mixes de natural feroz, barbaro, y duro, que quieren ser tratados con aspereza, y rigor.' _Davila_, _Teatro Ecles._, tom. i., p. 224. See further: _Burgoa_, _Palestra Hist._, pt. i., fol. 101; _Orozco y Berra_, _Geografia_, pp. 161-2, 186-7; _Torres_, in _Id._, p. 179; _Museo Mex._, tom. ii., pp. 554-5; _Tempsky's Mitla_, p. 269; _Hermesdorf_, in _Lond.

Geog. Soc., Jour._, vol. x.x.xii., p. 543; _Barnard's Tehuantepec_, pp.

220-7; _Charnay_, _Ruines Americaines_, pp. 258-9, 287; _Oviedo_, _Hist.

Gen._, tom. iii., p. 439; _Muhlenpfordt_, _Mejico_, tom. ii., pt. i., p.

200; _Dampier's Voyages_, vol. ii., pt. ii., pp. 115-16; _Davila Padilla_, _Hist. Fund. Mex._, p. 294; _Laet_, _Novus...o...b..s_, p. 325.

[959] 'Es el indio yucateco un monstruoso conjunto de religion e impiedad, de virtudes y vicios, de sagacidad y estupidez ... tiene ideas exactas precisas de lo bueno y de lo malo.... Es incapaz de robar un peso, y roba cuatro veces dos reales.... Siendo honrado en casi todas sus acciones ... se puede decir que el unico vicie que le domina es el de la embriaguez.' _Registro Yucateco_, tom. i., pp. 291-3; _Baeza_, in _Id._, tom. i., pp. 166-8, 174; _Morelet_, _Voyage_, tom. i., p. 148; _Herrera_, _Hist. Gen._, dec. iv., lib. x., cap. iv.; _Mill's Hist.

Mex._, p. 158; _Moro_, in _Garay_, _Reconocimiento_, pp. 89-34; _Muller_, _Reisen_, tom. ii., p. 371.

[Ill.u.s.tration: NATIVE RACES of the PACIFIC STATES CENTRAL AMERICAN GROUP]

CHAPTER VII.

WILD TRIBES OF CENTRAL AMERICA.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE--THREE GROUPAL DIVISIONS; FIRST, THE NATIONS OF YUCATAN, GUATEMALA, SALVADOR, WESTERN HONDURAS, AND NICARAGUA; SECOND, THE MOSQUITOS OF HONDURAS; THIRD, THE NATIONS OF COSTA RICA AND THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMa--THE POPOLUCAS, PIPILES, AND CHONTALES--THE DESCENDANTS OF THE MAYA-QUICHe RACES--THE NATIVES OF NICARAGUA--THE MOSQUITOS, POYAS, RAMAS, LENCAS, TOWKAS, WOOLWAS, AND XICAQUES OF HONDURAS--THE GUATUSOS OF THE RIO FRIO--THE CAIMANES, BAYAMOS, DORACHOS, GOAJIROS, MANDINGOS, SAVANERICS, SAYRONES, VISCITAS, AND OTHERS LIVING IN COSTA RICA AND ON THE ISTHMUS.

Of the WILD TRIBES OF CENTRAL AMERICA, which territorial group completes the line of our Pacific States seaboard, I make three divisions following modern geographical boundaries, namely, the aborigines of Guatemala, Salvador, and Nicaragua, which I call _Guatemalans_; the people of the Mosquito Coast and Honduras, _Mosquitos_; and the nations of Costa Rica and the isthmus of Darien, or Panama, _Isthmians_.

[Sidenote: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF CENTRAL AMERICA.]

The territory occupied by this group of nations lies between the eighteenth and the seventh parallels of north lat.i.tude, that is to say, between the northern boundary of the Central American states, and the river Atrato, which stream nearly severs the Isthmus from the South American continent. This continental tract is a narrow, irregular, indented coast-country of volcanic character, in which Guatemala and Honduras alone present any considerable breadth. The two cordilleras, running through Mexico and meeting on the isthmus of Tehuantepec, continue their course through Guatemala, where they form a broken table-land studded with elevations, of less height than the plateaux of Mexico. After sinking considerably at the isthmus formed by the gulf of Honduras, this mountain range takes a fresh start and offers a formidable barrier along the Pacific coast, which sends a number of transverse ranges into the interior of Honduras, and gives rise to countless rivers, chiefly emptying into the Atlantic. The chain pa.s.ses at a diminished alt.i.tude through Nicaragua, where it forms a large basin, which holds the lakes of Nicaragua and Managua; but on reaching Costa Rica it again becomes a bold, rugged range, capped by the volcano of Cartago. Seemingly exhausted by its wild contortions, it dwindles into a series of low ridges on entering Veragua, and pa.s.ses in this form through the isthmus of Panama, until it unites with the South American Andes. The scenery of this region is extremely varied, uniting that of most countries of the globe; lakes, rivers, plains, valleys, and bays abound in all forms and sizes. The north-east trade winds blow the greater part of the year, and, meeting the high ranges, deposit their superabundant moisture upon the eastern side, which is damp, overgrown with rank vegetation, filled with marshes, and unhealthful. The summer here, is hot and fever-breeding. Relieved of their moisture, and cooled by the mountains, the trade winds continue their course through the gaps left here and there, and tend materially to refresh the atmosphere of the Pacific slope for a part of the year; while the south-west winds, blowing from May to October, for a few hours at a time, bring short rains to temper what would otherwise be the hot season on this coast.

Dew falls everywhere, except in the more elevated regions, and keeps vegetation fresh. Palms, plantains, mahogany, and dye-woods abound in the hot district; maize flourishes best in the temperate parts, while cedars, pines, and hardier growths find a home in the tierra fria. The animal kingdom is best represented on the Atlantic side, for here the puma, the tiger-cat, and the deer, startled only by the climbing opossum or the chattering monkey, find a more secure retreat. Birds of brilliant plumage fill the forests with their songs, while the buzz of insects everywhere is heard as they swarm over sweltering alligators, lizards, and snakes. The manifold productions, and varied features of the country have had, no doubt, a great influence in shaping the destiny of the inhabitants. The fine climate, good soil, and scarcity of game on the Pacific side must have contributed to the allurements of a settled life and a.s.sisted in the progress of nations who had for centuries before the conquest lived in the enjoyment of a high culture. It is hard to say what might have been the present condition of a people so happily situated, but the advent of the white race, bent only upon the acquirement of present riches by means of oppression, checked the advancement of a civilization which struck even the invaders with admiration. Crossing to the Atlantic side we find an over-abundant vegetation, whose dark recesses serve as a fitting shelter for the wild beast. Here man, imbibing the wildness of his surroundings, and oppressed by a feverish climate, seems content to remain in a savage state depending upon natural fruits, the chase, and fis.h.i.+ng for his subsistence. Of a roaming disposition, he objects to the restraint imposed by government and forms. The natives of Costa Rica and the isthmus of Darien escaped the civilizing influence of foreign intercourse,--thanks to their geographical isolation,--and remain on about the same level of culture as in their primitive days.

[Sidenote: CENTRAL AMERICAN NATIONS.]

Under the name of GUATEMALANS, I include the natives of Guatemala, Salvador, and Nicaragua. I have already pointed out the favorable features of the region inhabited by them. The only sultry portion of Guatemala is a narrow strip along the Pacific; it is occupied by a few planters and fishermen, who find most of their requirements supplied by the palms that grow here in the greatest luxuriance. The chief part of the population is concentrated round the various lakes and rivers of the table-land above, where maize, indigo, cochineal, and sugar-cane are staple products. In the altos, the banana is displaced by hardier fruits sheltered under the lofty cedar, and here we find a thrifty and less humble people who pay some attention to manufactures. Salvador presents less abrupt variation in its features. Although outside of the higher range of mountains, it still possesses a considerable elevation running through its entire length, which breaks out at frequent intervals into volcanic peaks, and gives rise to an abundant and well-spread water system. Such favorable conditions have not failed to gather a population which is not only the most numerous comparatively, but also the most industrious in Central America. Northern Nicaragua is a continuation of Salvador in its features and inhabitants; but the central and southern parts are low and have more the character of the Guatemalan coast, the climate being hot, yet not unhealthful. Its Atlantic coast region, however, partakes of the generally unfavorable condition described above.

The Spanish rulers naturally exercised a great influence upon the natives, and their ancient civilization was lost in the stream of Caucasian progress, a stream which, in this region, itself flowed but slowly in later times. Oppressed and despised, a sullen indifference has settled upon the race, and caused it to neglect even its traditions. The greater portion still endeavor to keep up tribal distinctions and certain customs; certain tribes of lesser culture, as the cognate _Manches_ and _Lacandones_, retired before the Spaniards to the north and north-east, where they still live in a certain isolation and independence. The name Lacandones has been applied to a number of tribes, of which the eastern are described to be quite harmless as compared with the western. The _Quiches_, a people living in the altos, have also surrounded themselves with a certain reserve, and are truer to their ancient customs than the _Zutugils_, _Cakchiquels_, and many others related by language to the Quiches surrounding them. The _Pipiles_, meaning children, according to Molina, are the chief people in Salvador, where their villages are scattered over a large extent of territory. In Nicaragua we find several distinct peoples. The aboriginal inhabitants seem to have been the different peoples known as _Chorotegans_, who occupy the country lying between the bay of Fonseca and lake Nicaragua. The _Chontales_ (strangers, or barbarians) live to the north-east of the lakes, and a.s.similate more to the barbarous tribes of the Mosquito country adjoining them. The _Cholutecs_ inhabit the north from the gulf of Fonseca towards Honduras. The _Orotinans_ occupy the country south of the lake of Nicaragua and around the gulf of Nicoya. Further information about the location of the different nations and tribes of this family will be found at the end of this chapter.[960]

[Sidenote: PHYSIQUE AND DRESS.]

The GUATEMALANS, that is to say the aborigines of Guatemala, Salvador, and Nicaragua, are rather below the middle size, square and tough, with a finely developed physique. Their hue is yellow-brown, in some parts coppery, varying in shade according to locality, but lighter than that of the standard American type. The full round face has a mild expression; the forehead is low and retiring, the cheek-bones protruding, chin and nose short, the latter thick and flat, lips full, eyes black and small, turned upwards at the temples, with a stoical, distrustful look. The cranium is slightly conical; hair long, smooth, and black, fine but strong, retaining its color well as old age approaches, though sometimes turning white. Although the beard is scanty, natives may be seen who have quite a respectable moustache. The limbs are muscular, the calf of the leg being especially large; hands and feet small; a high instep, which, no doubt, partly accounts for their great endurance in walking. The women are not devoid of good looks, especially in Nicaragua, where, in some districts, they are said to be stronger and better formed than the men. The custom of carrying pitchers of water upon the head, gives to the women an erect carriage and a firm step. The const.i.tution of the males is good, and, as a rule, they reach a ripe old age; the females are less long-lived. Deformed persons are extremely rare. Guatemala, with its varied geographical aspects, presents striking differences in physique; the highlanders being lighter in complexion, and finer in form and features than the inhabitants of the lowlands.[961]

[Sidenote: GUATEMALAN DRESS AND ORNAMENTS.]

Intercourse with Spaniards seems to have produced little change in the dress of the Guatemalans, which is pretty much the same as that of the Mexicans. The poorer cla.s.s wear a waist-cloth of white cotton, or of _pita_, which is a kind of white hemp, or a long s.h.i.+rt of the same material, with short sleeves, partly open at the sides, the ends of which are pa.s.sed between the legs, and fastened at the waist; a strip of cotton round the head, surmounted by a dark-colored hat of straw or palm-leaves, with a very wide brim, completes the attire. This cotton cap or turban is an indispensable article of dress to the highlander, who pa.s.ses suddenly from the cold air of the hilly country, to the burning plains below. Sumptuary regulations here obtain, as aboriginally the lower cla.s.ses were not allowed to wear anything better than pita clothing, cotton being reserved for the n.o.bles. The primitive dress of the n.o.bility is a colored waist-cloth, and a mantle ornamented and embroidered with figures of birds, tigers, and other designs, and, although they have adopted much of the Spanish dress, the rich and fanciful st.i.tchings on the s.h.i.+rt, still distinguish them from their inferiors. On feast-days, and when traveling, a kind of blanket, commonly known as _serape_, _manga_, or _poncho_, is added to the ordinary dress. The serape, which differs in style according to locality, is closer in texture than the ordinary blanket and colored, checked, figured, or fringed, to suit the taste. It has an opening in the centre, through which the head is pa.s.sed, and hanging in loose folds over the body it forms a very picturesque attire. Some fasten it with a knot on one shoulder, leaving it to fall over the side from the other.

The serape also serves for rain-coat and wrapper, and, at night, it is wound round the head and body, serving for bed as well as covering, the other portion of the dress being made into a pillow. The carriers of Guatemala use a rain-proof palm-leaf called _suyacal_. Shepherds are distinguished by a black and white checked ap.r.o.n, somewhat resembling the Scotch kilt. The hair, which, before the conquest of Guatemala, was worn long, and hung in braids down the back, is now cut short, except in the remote mountain districts, where long loose hair is still the fas.h.i.+on. In Salvador and Nicaragua, on the other hand, the front part of the hair used to be shaved off, the brave often appearing perfectly bald. Most natives go bare-footed, except when traveling; they then put on sandals, which consist of a piece of hide fastened by thongs. The women, when at home, content themselves with a waist-cloth, generally blue-checked, secured by a twisted knot; but, on going abroad, they put on the huipil, which is a piece of white cotton, having an opening in the middle for the head, and covering the breast and back, as far as the waist. Some huipils are sewed together at the sides and have short sleeves. On this part of their dress the women--who, for that matter, attend to the manufacture and dyeing of all the clothing--expend their best efforts. They embroider, or dye, the neck and shoulders with various designs, whose outlines and coloring often do great credit to their taste. In Guatemala, the colors and designs are distinct for different villages, so that it may at once be seen to which tribe the wearer belongs. The hair is plaited into one or two braids, interlaced with bright-colored ribbons, and usually wreathed turban-fas.h.i.+on round the head. The Quiches, whose red turban-dress is more p.r.o.nounced than others, sometimes vary it by adding yellow bands and ta.s.sels to the braids, which are permitted to hang down to the heels. Thomas Gage, who lived in Guatemala from about 1627 to 1638, relates that on gala-days the fair natives were arrayed in cotton veils reaching to the ground.