"The commonest dance among the Indians is a slow, almost automatic _rondo_, the head continually rising and falling and turning from side to side. In another dance the dancers form couples, keeping their ground, and facing one another, accelerating their steps only at the end of each figure. "During Lent the majority of the natives do not employ any instrumental music, but, on the other hand, they attend nocturnal gatherings known as _chochus_, at which young people of both sexes dance round a cross and sing psalms. There is absolutely nothing edifying about these functions, those taking part in them displaying a most disconcerting cynicism. On Easter Day the Indians wear their gala costumes, and ornament their hats with flowers and ribbons; they make up for their forty days' silence, and fill the air with the sound of _quenas_, _sicus_ and tambourines. But even while dancing they are never gay; their sombre natures unbend only under the influence of drink. "Among the strange and savage customs of the natives, we must not forget to mention the fights with whips which take place in certain provinces on Good Friday. On the occasion of the procession of the Sepulchre the Indians build altars along the route of the procession. The latter takes place always at night. Once it is over the altars are demolished by two separate groups--the Huarcas and the Incas, who at once begin to strive for victory. The two groups then assemble in the public place or square, and lash one another with implacable ardour. Triumph or failure is a good or bad omen for the year's harvest. "Poetical songs, accompanied on the _quechua_, are known as _yaravis_. They are greatly appreciated by the natives. The Quechua _yaravis_ have been to some extent improved by the modern Bolivians. They are usually a species of round, with a good deal of repetition; each stanza has four to ten lines. These songs reflect the dreamy and sombre character of the race. Love is always their subject; a melancholy, plaintive and monotonous passion.