EMPIRES children: THE PEOPLE OF TZINTZUNTZAN FOSTER 



(/•//ay cebollas?" 



continues by throwing in all four sections of 

 '"i-oses," both sections of "rest," and the last two 

 "boxes." Then he begins from the opposite end 

 to return, a slower and more difficult procedure 

 since the small areas are now more distant and 

 require better marksmanship. If a pebble falls 

 in either "hell," the player must start anew." 



239 



there 



Figure 35. — Curacol game. 



Caracol ("snail") is played by drawing cir- 

 cular lines 15 cm. apart leading to a central 

 point (fig. 35). The player who hops to the 

 center, around and around without touching any 

 line, is the winner. Both this game and peleche 

 are played by boys only, usually at the beginning 

 of the rainy season.' 



Arrancacebolla ("pull an onion") is played 

 by a file of boys grasping each other around 

 the waist tug-o-war fashion. "It," the ccbollero, 

 or onion man, begins the words: 



* Starr describes two games that are almost identical. One, 

 called bebeleche ("drink milk"), has compartments labeled 

 tiell, crown, bebeleche, face, bebeleche, rest, box 1, box 2, 

 and hell. Mode of play is not described. The other, called 

 gignnte ("giant") has a slightly different diagram, represent- 

 ing a giant with a stockingcap standing on a roof. The spaces 

 have labels such as stockingcap, ear, head, stomach, and so 

 forth. Method of play is almost identical to that of peleche 

 (Starr, 1899, pp. 38, 40-41). 



"• Starr describes a caracol game which differs from this 

 in that the diagram is divided into sections, and the players 

 throw pebbles which are kicked, apparently in much the same 

 manner as for peleche (Starr, 1899, p. 38). 



Cebollero : "^Hay cebollas?" ("Ar 



onions?"") 

 Line: "Si, hay." ("Yes, there are.") 

 Cebollero: "^A como las da?'' ("How much 



are they?) 

 Line: "/i diez cenlavos." ('"Ten centavos each.") 

 Cebollero: "^Estdn sazonas?" ("Are they ripe?") 

 Line: "Atientulas." ("Try them.") 



The cebollero then taps each on the head 

 saying "Si, estdn sazonas. Las voy a arrancar." 

 ("Yes, they're ripe. I'm going to pick them.") 

 Then he begins to pull the boys off the line, 

 beginning at the tail, while the line moves 

 about in an effort to avoid him, and the leader 

 whips at him with a rebozo.* 



Coyotito ("little coyote") is played by either 

 boys or girls, but never by mixed groups. The 

 children forni a circle and revolve in either 

 direction. These children are called borregos 

 ("sheep"). "It," the coyotito, stands outside. 



Coyotito: "Cacabu, cacabi'i." (the coyote's howl.) 

 Borregos: "^Que quiere ese coyotito?" ("What 



does tills coyote want?"') 

 Coyotito: "Came asada." ("Roast meat.") 

 Borregos: "Escoja el mas gordito." ("Take the 



fattest one.") 



Then the coyotito tries to break the players 

 from the line, while they kick backward with 

 their feet to make it more difficult. Those who 

 are pulled out must join the coyotito in his 

 attempt to break up the circle." 



A los encanlados ("To the enchanted ones") 

 is a form of tag. Players divide into two teams, 

 and select a large open area with several good 

 bases. The open churchyard with its old trees 

 to serve as bases is ideal. One team is on 

 base, with no limit to the number of players 

 using a base. The players try to get to other 

 bases without being tagged by the opponents. 

 Tagged players are "enchanted" and must 

 remain motionless until released by the touch 



8 Starr describes a similar game: "Cebollita: The players 

 sit on the floor, in a line, near together, each between the 

 legs of the one behind; each clasps the waist of the one 

 before. One speaks to the front one in the line and says: 



El padre quiere una cebollita. 



(The priest wants a little onion.) 



Si puede arranquela. 



(All right if he can pull it.) 

 He must then try to pull the first one up. If successful the 

 onion so pulled is out, and the second is tried, and so on. 

 Failure to pull up anjone gives this one his turn to be puller." 

 (Starr, 1899, p. 43.) 



8 Starr describes the same game as "coyote and hens" 

 (Starr, 1899, p. 36). 



