[Unknown Mexico, Volume 1 (of 2) by Carl Lumholtz]@TWC D-Link book
Unknown Mexico, Volume 1 (of 2)

CHAPTER VIII
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The formation of the land may even oblige him to build terraces to obtain space enough for his religious dances.
On this patio, which measures generally about ten yards in every direction, one, two, or three crosses are planted, as the central object of all ceremonies (except those in the cult of the sacred cactus hikuli [3]).

The cross is generally about a foot high; sometimes it stands two feet above ground.

It is made of two sticks of unequal length, preferably sticks of pine wood, tied together in the form of the Latin cross.

I saw two crosses raised outside of a man's house, which were formed by the natural growth of small pine trees, and these were four feet high.

The shamans, for their curing, use small crosses--three or four inches long.
It is a well-known fact that on their arrival in America the Spaniards to their amazement found Indians in possession of the cross.


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