FESTIVAL. This word for celebration or merrymaking comes to us from the Latin (festum, feast) through the Old French tongue. The festival is an occasion of public rejoicing, of a religious seasonal, national, local or com plimentary character; in olden times always connected with the ecclesiastical ceremonies. In point of fact there can be no feasts in the sense covered by this article unless there be some form of organized religion; and the de velopment of these two,— festivals and religion, —run parallel throughout all ages. The earliest of all festivals in the space of recorded time were connected with the cult of the dead, or ancestor worship. At such ancient banquets— feasting in common being a great civilizer — there was community with departed spirits and offerings and sacrifices. For a profound study of antique customs and survivals, and much other data on the whole subject, consult the monumental work on the 'Principles of Soci ology' by Herbert Spencer (New York 1877 97). In the next and higher phase the wander ing tribes, depending so much on the great luminaries, and particularly on the moon, are constrained to celebrate the monthly changes: these general notes holding good for all the great branches of the human family.. Settling down to the pastoral and agricultural condition, calling forth a sensitiveness to the procession of the seasons and the aspects of the weather, the .great solar festivals of the solstices and Then noxes were initiated and developed. Then society becoming still more complex with the rise of great empires, the gregarious and self preserving instincts would prompt the setting apart of certain days for feasts of gratitude for deliverance, celebrations to mark great vic tories and in veneration of distinguished mili tary and religious leaders.
Festivals of the American The Indians of the great middle belt of North America, living mainly by hunting and agri culture, show these same characteristics in their festivities. Some tribal calendars are rich in a variety of festivals, all tending more or less toward the agricultural character. This is
also seen in the basic simplicity with which the celebrations are conducted. On the other hand, there are tribes quite indifferent to time and season; and in such cases, it is essential to note, there are no festal ceremonies. Luna tion is beyond all question the most important time division of the North American Indians. There are tribes that divide the year into 12 moons, and those that divide it by 13. Some of the feasts are very highly elaborated, oc cupying many days in the observances. It is customary for them to consist of a preliminary fast followed by symbolic dances or magic in cantations terminating with a gluttonous orgy. Speaking broadly, there is a wide similarity in the festival customs of the various tribes; obvious differences being accounted for by ques tions of climate and environment. Fasting is generally practised among the tribes of North America; and, though often observed in con nection with public ceremonials, is perhaps more often carried out in private. The first fast is usually the puberty fast. A militant expedition, a great hunt, or initiation into secret or reli gious societies, are invariably preceded by ab stinence, more or less vigorous.
The Algonquin Indians of Virginia appor tioned the year into the Budding or Blossoming seasons (Spring), Highest-Sun-season (Sum mer), Corn-or-Gathering season (Autumn) and Cohonk (Winter), a name taken from the cry of the wild geese during that quarter. The months were designated as the Moon-of-Stags, Corn-Moon, etc. They held regularly recurring festivals to celebrate ripening of fruits and grain, and more irregular feasts to mark return of wildfowl and hunting in a general way. The most important of all their celebrations was the harvest festivals, which lasted for several days. The dances were serious affairs and the recital of heroic songs goaded the young and thrilled the whole community. In a word, they would seem to he practically iden tical with present day observances.