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Text of Newspaper Article About Yaqui Easter Ceremonies

"History of Yaqui Rites Predates Spanish Era" by Bernice Johnston

An Indian "attack" brings to mind flying arrows, clubs and bloodshed. In Tucson, the Yaqui Indians meet an "attack" every year and win, with such weapons as flowers, greens and confetti.

Pascua, a Yaqui village surrounded by Tucson, is the home of about 500 people. Originally these Indians lived on the West Coast of Mexico. They were persecuted under Porfirio Dian, fought back and finally turned to the North and the United States. Like many refugees before and since, they found security, freedom and new hope. Tucson has the largest and oldest settlement in the United States.

In Yaqui ancient history, the people performed their own tradition ceremonies. Flowers were treasured symbols in ancient times, and dancing and masks were important parts of their ceremonies.

Then cam the Spaniards and with them, the story of Christ, His Crucifixion and Resurrection. As the Spanish influence took root, the drama of the Holy Week was combined with aspects of Yaqui pageantry. Each year for centuries, the Passion Play has been dramatized in unique form - part native, part Christian. It is a complex and primitive version as old as the famed pageant of Oberammergau. Visitors are admitted to the ceremonies but only if they come with a spirit of reverence. No pictures are allowed and no interference is tolerated.

The Way of the Cross is enacted with many dramatic additions, characters and costumes. All principal characters are in effigy. Symb9olic acts portray the nailing to the cross, piercing with the lance, burial (concealment of the body) and resurrection.

The most colorful ceremony and the one in which most activity occurs is the Gloria on Holy Saturday Noon. The church group defends the Church against attack by the Soldiers of Rome (Fariseos), who attempt to rush the defenders and regain the figure of Christ, which has been stolen from them during the night.

The church groups line up with supplies of ammunition - flowers, greens and confetti. The battle begins.

The evil Fariseos, all in black, rush the church. The defense goes into action. Hand bells and church bells ring. There is the sound of the flute, the beat of the drum, the chatter or rattles. Pascolas throw flowers furiously and dance. The Deer dances. The Matachihis dance. Angels dart about brandishing switches. Flag girls wave flags and women throw flowers. The Fariseos are repelled and advance in a second wave. There is motion, commotion, color and clamor.

The climax is reached when the third attack fails and the Fariseos admit defeat. They throw their masks, swords and daggers onto a pyre, which contains the figure of their leader, Judas. The whole is set afire and burned, with all of its evil. Then, the repenting Fariseos are accepted back into the army of Christ.

After this exciting event there is an all-night fiesta. The people then greet the dawn of the Resurrection with joy and new hope.

At the Arizona State Museum this week there is a display of some of the regalia used by these performers in their ceremonies. Further details of these ceremonies and the history of the Yaquis may be found in the publications, "Easter at Pascua" and "Faith, Flowers and Fiestas," at the museum and at some bookstores in Tucson.

Photo caption: Mask worn by Pascola dancer (old men of the fiestas). These dancers also entertain their people with jokes, double talk, nonsense and stories.

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