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Luminarios outline the O. E. Hopler, Jr., residence at Albuquerque. Land of the Luminarios... A supply of sand, a paper sack and a lighted candle—that is all it Most New Mexicans today, however, takes to make a luminario. In New Mexico and elsewhere in the do not make a distinction, and simply Southwest this custom of ancient origin is finding ever increasing popu- call their unusual decorating idea "lu- larity. More and more candles are glowing at night—to celebrate minario lighting." weddings, religious festivals, homecomings and, of course, Christmas Nor is there any certainty as to the time. exact history of the luminario. Some By LAVON TEETER out the light when the candle burns claim that the luminario lights were Photograph by C. E. Redman down. The bags are placed two feet first set out symbolically to guide the apart all around flat pueblo roofs, or shepherds to the manger; others say E LUMINARIOS!" on top of sloping walls, or along the that the lights represent the star of You hear this only in the footpaths of homes, churches, parks Bethlehem; still others suggest that Southwest and especially in or public buildings. When lighted — they had a historical significance at New Mexico, where natives and tour- hundreds, thousands, millions of them the time of the American Occupation. ists alike exclaim at the far reaching —they create a fairyland of magic in Some, who follow the old tradition, modern adaptation of an old custom. the desert. use only 12 luminarios, one for each Luminario lighting, because of its Whether you travel on the main high- of the apostles. Others use 9, repre- beauty and appeal, is being adopted ways stopping at the larger cities such senting the nine principals at the na- and developed by both the Spanish and as Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Roswell, or tivity. Most people, however, use as Anglo population of this southwestern wander up into the small towns and many as necessary to carry out their state. villages of the Sandia and Jemez ideas of design and outline. Luminarios are a unique means of Mountains, or follow the path of the Whatever its origin and history, lu- evening decoration used to highlight Rio Grande River, you will be in lu- minario lighting is a distinctive, color- the celebration of festive occasions— minario country. More recently the ful, early custom that New Mexicans religious days, fiestas, rodeos, wed- luminario custom has been extended to arc finding decidedly worth preserving. dings, parties, carnivals, homecomings, Tucson and other Southwestern cities Civic leagues, garden clubs, college or- the friendly barbecue in the family where a considerable population of ganizations and interested individuals patio and, of course, the Christmas Mexicans dwells. encourage it with gifts and prizes. season. The glimmer of burning lu- Pine knots have been used from The Southwest's mild climate and minarios extend a shining welcome to early times to light caves and to fur- "The Land of Enchantment." arid landscaping make a perfect back- nish fire for religious purposes. It is ground for the glow of lighted candles All this unusual glory spreads from not definitely known who introduced that glimmer more extensively each a paper sack, some ordinary sand, and the practice of using paper sacks with year. The shining amber lights are a candle. The top of a No. 5 paper lighted candles. Joseph A. Bursey, di- always a sign of a gracious invitation bag is folded down like a cuff about rector of the New Mexico State Tourist to something special and the spectator, two inches to strengthen the form and Bureau, says that technically they stranger or native instinctively responds balance. The bag is half filled with should be called faroh'tos, as distin- to their charming beauty with a heart- sand for weight against wind, to hold guished from the pitch-pine bonfires felt muchas gracias—thanks for the upright an inserted candle, and to snuff which are properly called luminarios. luminarios of the desert dwellers. DESERT MAGAZINE DESERT CALENDAR Late November or early December— Zuni Pueblo Shalako Ceremonies and House Dances. Dec. 2 — Los Vigilantes Christmas Parade, El Centra, California. Dec. 2 — Annual Christmas parade, Barstow, California. Dec. 2-3—8th Annual Arizona Avia- tion Conference, Tucson, Arizona. Dec. 2-4—Feast of St. Francis Xa- vier Mission, Tucson, Arizona. Dec. 3 — Palm Springs, California, Volume 18 DECEMBER, 1955 Number 12 Desert Museum field trip to Split Rock Canyon. COVER Navctjo Mother and Daughter at Window Rock, Dec. 3-4—Sports Car Road Races, Arizona, WESTERN WAYS PHOTOGRAPH Palm Springs, California. Dec. 6—Dons Travelcade to Miami CHRISTMAS Land of the Luminarios, by LAVON TEETER . 2 copper mines, from Phoenix, Ariz. CALENDAR December events on the desert 3 Dec. 9 — Santa Claus Parade, Lan- caster, California. PALEONTOLOGY Burial Ground of Ancient Sea Monsters Dec. 10—Palm Springs, California, By NELL MURBARGER 4 Desert Museum field trip (destina- EXPERIENCE Christmas in Keams Canyon tion unannounced). By JOSEPH SCHMEDDING 8 Dec. 10-11 — Dons Travelcade to Tucson-Ajo and Saguaro National FIELD TRIP Saddle Mountain--Collector's Paradise Monument, from Phoenix, Arizona. By GLENN and MARTHA VARGAS ... 9 Dec. 10-12 — Tortugas Indian Cere- POETRY Christmas Thought and other poems .... 12 monials, Las Graces, New Mexico. BOTANY Valiant Is the Jronwood, by CAP SMITH ... 13 Dec. 1 1—Desert Sun Ranchers Ro- deo, Phoenix, Arizona. ADVENTURE We Exolored the Winding Stair Cave Dec. 11 — Achones Procession after By W. R. HALLIDAY, M.D 15 Vespers, Taos, New Mexico. CLOSE-UPS About those who write for Desert 20 Dec. 12-18—Sixth Annual Thunder- bird Invitational Golf Tournament, INDIANS The Man Who Laughed Too Much Palm Springs, California. By HARRY C. JAMES 21 Dec. 17—Arizona Snow Bowl opens GARDENING "All This and Christmas Too" for winter season. Flagstaff. By RUTH REYNOLDS 23 Dec. 17—Palm Springs, California, CONTEST Picture of the Month Contest announcement . 24 Desert Museum field trip to Lost Palms. LETTERS Comment from Desert's readers 24 Dec. 18 — Dons Travelcade to old PHOTOGRAPHY Pictures of the Month 25 Army Post at Fort McDowell, from Phoenix, Arizona. NEWS From here and there on the Desert 26 Dec. 18—College of Southern Utah's DESERT QUIZ A test of your desert knowledge 27 Annual presentation of the Mes- siah, Cedar City, Utah. FICTION Hard Rock Shorty of Death Valley 30 Dec. 18—Salt Lake Oratorio Society's MINING Current news of desert mines 31 Annual presentation of the Messiah, Salt Lake City, Utah. URANIUM Progress of the mining boom 32 Dec. 18—Palm Springs, California, LAPIDARY Amateur Gem Cutter 35 Civic Chorus presentation of the Messiah. HOBBY Gems and Minerals 36 Dec. 19-24 — Bethlehem Pageant, INDEX Contents of Desert for 1955 41 Joshua Tree, California. Dec. 24 — Procession of the Virgin, BOOKS Reviews of Southwestern Literature 45 Taos, New Mexico. COMMENT Just Between You and Me, by the Editor ... 46 Dec. 24—Christmas Eve festivities in Spanish villages throughout the The Desert Magazine is published monthly by the Desert Press, Inc., Palm Desert, Southwest. Bonfires for El Santo California. Re-entered as second class matter July 17, 1948, at the postoffice at Palm Desert, Nino (the Christ Child) lighted California, under the Act of March 3. 1879. Title registered No. 3588(55 in U. S. Patent Office, before houses, in the streets and and contents copyrighted 1955 by the Desert Press, Inc. Permission to reproduce contents before candle-lit Nacimientos (Na- must be secured from the editor in writing. tivity scenes). RANDALL HENDERSON, Editor EUGENE L. CONROTTO, Associate Editor Dec. 25 — Deer Dance, Taos, New BESS STACY, Business Manager EVONNE RIDDELL. Circulation Manager Mexico. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs submitted cannot be returned or acknowledged unless full return postage is enclosed. Desert Magazine assumes no responsibility for Christmas Week—Nativity Plays, Los damage or loss of manuscripts or photographs although due care will be exercised. Sub- Pastores and Las Posadas, given in scribers should send notice of change of address by the first of the month preceding issue. St. Joseph's auditorium and in homes of descendants, Taos, New SUBSCRIPTION RATES Mexico. One Year $3.50 Two Years S6.00 Canadian Subscriptions 25c Extra, Foreign 50c Extra Dec. 26—Desert Sun Ranchers Ro- Subscriptions to Army Personnel Outside U. S. A. Must Be Mailed in Conformity With deo, Phoenix, Arizona. P. O. D. Order No. 19087 Address Correspondence to Descri Magazine, Palm Desert, California DECEMBER, 1955 Union Canyon, Nevada, Burial Ground of Ancient Sea Monsters Although the land around Union Canyon, Nevada, is broken and bare, 200 million years ago it was under water. In that ocean lived and died the terrible fish-lizard, ichthyosaur. The old sea floor was uplifted 7000 feet above its former level and the bones of that sea monster —now turned to stone—rest just as they were deposited. Scientists acclaim the Nye County discovery the best yet found in the world. By NELL MURBARGER Map by Norton Allen Charles L. Camp, professor in paleon- tology at the University of California. Despite a keen interest in Mrs. Wheat's report and a burning desire to examine the deposit, Dr. Camp's 40 years' experience in such matters Artist's conception of the ichthyosaur and its young. Pho- taught him that undertakings of this tograph courtesy of the American Museum of Natural sort generally involve considerable ex- History. pense, and he feared that excavation of the site would prove too costly for (ACK IN THE Earth's dim past Greek ichthys, which means fish, and the limited funds then available. When when the Sierra Nevada was sauros, a lizard.

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