MORRIS STECCERDA MORRIS STEGGERDA

Transcription

1 BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS 42 1 has been cited in explanation of this condition is their method of hairdressing, in which the hair is combed back and pulled very tightly and then is tied securely. As far as I know this method of hairdressing has not previously been described, consequently I take this opportunity to do so, inserting occasional notes from the early colonial writings, supplied to me in correspondence by Dr. Ralph Roys of the Division of Historical Research of the Camegie Institution of Washington. The Yucatan Maya women have in general three ways of dressing their hair. The most common method is called Thuch. (The Maya word, Thuch, is defined by Pi0 Perez as a tuft of hair tied together on a woman s head. ) In this type of hairdressing the women comb their hair from front to back. When it is entirely smooth they pass their open hands backward over it, and then, holding the roll of hair with one hand, wind a white or colored cord, one end of which is held in the mouth, around this roll from 3 to 10 times at the base of the neck. Then, with both hands they throw the hair over the head and fold it until it is of the proper size to tie in a bundle as shown in A of Plate 11. The second method is called Sorongo. This is combed in the same way as for the Thuch, but no ribbon is used for tying. When the hair has been well combed it is twisted and then wound closely at the nape of the neck until no hair is left; it is then fastened with a hair pin. (See B of Plate 11.) Nothing has been found that would indicate the origin of the word Sorongo. In the third method called Cebolla the hair is combed and then braided. The Spanish word Cebolla means onion. Perhaps the hair-do derives its name from its twisted effect, resembling an onion. (See C of Plate 11.) Concerning the braiding of hair by the Maya women of Colonial Times, we read in Landa s Relacion de las cosas de Yucatan, as translated by Dr. Tozzer, on page 88: They (speaking of the men) wore their hair long like women... and they braided it and made a wreath of it around their heads leaving the queue behind like tassels. The old records also speak of braiding the hair with woolen thread, dyed various colors. It might be added that in the modem methods of hairdressing the women wash their hair often, and sometimes add chicken fat as a lubricant. I am unable to explain the frequent baldness of older Maya women. The suggested explanations-disease, hair-combing, and hair-dressing40 not adequately seem to explain this phenomenon, which does exist in Yucatan. CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASRINCTON MORRIS STEGGERDA STONE GONGS OR RINGING STONES Stone gongs, made from slabs of limestone rock, were in use in one Maya village in Yucatan which I visited. These ringing stones were suspended from a wooden framework, as shown in the accompanying photograph, and were used for calling the inhabitants. Such stones may have served as bells before the coming of the Spaniards. Each one of the four hanging stones produces a different tonal pitch. The tones do not form our musical scale but chord very nicely when struck simultaneously. CARNECIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON MORRIS STECCERDA

2 PLATE 1

3 PLATE I. Ancient Peruvian Triple Cloth. a. Three-colored face. h. Two-colored reverse.

4 PLATE I1

5 1 1.4~~ 11. Ancient Peruvian Triple Cloth. a. Three-colored face. b. Two-colored reverse. c. Block variety: two-colored face and niedian layer; monochrome reverse.