doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

On the subject of dancing and other amusements, it is again convenient to draw
upon Robinson. Don Juan Bandini had his house blessed during the stay of Gale and
Robinson at San Diego in 1829, and they were invited to attend.
"The ceremony took place at noon, when the chaplain proceeded through the different
apartments, sprinkling holy water upon the walls, and uttering verses in Latin.
This concluded, we sat down to an excellent dinner consisting of all the luxuries the
place afforded, provided in Don Juan's best style. As soon as the cloth was removed,
the guitar
Page 149
were put in requisition, and a dance began. It lasted, however, but a little while, for it
was necessary for them to spare their exertions for the evening fandango. So poco a
poco [little by little], all gradually retired to their homes.
At an early hour the different passages leading to the house were enlivened with
men, women, and children, hurrying to the dance; for on such occasions it was customary
for everybody to attend without waiting for the formality of an invitation. A crowd of
leperos [dependents] was collected about the door when we arrived, now and then giving
its shouts of approbation to the performances within, and it was with some difficulty
we forced our entrance. Two persons were upon the floor dancing el jarabe. They kept
time to the music, by drumming with their feet, on the heel and toe system, with such
precision, that the sound struck harmoniously upon the ear, and the admirable execution
would not have done injustice to a pair of drumsticks in the hands of an able professor.
The attitude of the female dancer was erect, with her head a little inclined to the
right shoulder, as she modestly cast her eye to the floor, whilst her hands gracefully held
the skirts of her dress, suspending it above the ankle so as to expose to the company
the execution of her feet. Her partner, who might have been one of the interlopers at the
door, was under full speed of locomotion, and rattled away with his feet with wonderful
dexterity. His arms were thrown carelessly behind his back, and secured, as they
crossed, the point of his serape [sash], that still held its place upon his shoulders. Neither
had he doffed his sombrero, but just as he stood when gazing from the crowd, he
had placed himself upon the floor.
"The conclusion of this performance gave us an opportunity to edge our way
along towards the extremity of the room, where a door communicated with an inner
apartment. Here we placed ourselves, to witness in a most favorable position the
amusements of the evening. The room was about fifty feet in length, and twenty wide,
modestly furnished, and its sides crowded with smiling faces. Upon the floor were accommodated
the children and Indian girls, who, close under the vigilance of their parents
and mistresses, took part in the scene. The musicians again commencing a lively
tune, one of the managers approached the nearest female, and, clapping his hands in
accompaniment to the music, succeeded in bringing her into the centre of the room.
Here she remained awhile, gently tapping with her feet upon the floor, and then giving
two or three whirls, skipped away to her seat. Another was clapped out, and another, till
the manager had passed the compliment throughout the room. This is called a son, and
there is a custom among the men, when a dancer proves particularly attractive to anyone,
to place his hat upon her head, while she stands thus in the middle of the room,
which she retains until redeemed by its owner, with some trifling present. During the
performance of the dances, three or four male voices occasionally took part in the mu-