http://www.currentargus.com/ci_5788853Mescal Roast turning 21
By Stella Davis
Article Launched: 04/30/2007 09:28:13 PM MDT
CARLSBAD — A feast of roasted mescal and a performance of traditional Apache war and mountain spirit dances will be the highlight at the annual Mescal Roast and Mountain Spirit Dance at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park.
The event, now in its 21st year, will be held May 10-13.
The event celebrates the culture and history of the Mescal Apache people. The mescal dinner is modeled after traditional feasts served during coming-of-age ceremonies for young women on the reservation.
Linda Frank, Living Desert volunteer services coordinator, said the mescal dinner and dance will be held two nights, with each night limited to 300 people.
She said the annual event draws an average of 2,500 visitors to the park.
"We suggest that people interested in participating in the dinner and dance purchase their tickets in advance," Frank said. "The tickets for the mescal dinner on either the Friday or Saturday night are $15 per person and include all evening activities. Tickets are on sale at the park now. However, people can use their credit card and order tickets by phone or mail."
Admittance to special daytime activities during the Mescal Roast is free with the park's normal day-use admission
fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 7-12. Admission for children under the age of 6 is free.
The event will commence on May 10 starting with spiritual leaders blessing the roasting pit in which the mescal is placed to prepare for tasting on the last day of the Mescal Roast. The ceremony is not a re-enactment but an actual ritual observance.
The mescal plant, also known as agave, was a staple for the Apache who once populated the Pecos River Valley and Guadalupe Mountains of Southeastern New Mexico. Nearly all parts of the mescal plant could be utilized including the leaves, flower stalks, blossoms and seeds. The leaves and stalks were traditionally roasted in large cooking pits and eaten or pounded into cakes and dried in the sun for later consumption. Agave fibers were used to make bowstrings, brushes, sandals and rope.
The Mescalero Apache were eventually forced to relocate following the arrival of the U.S. Military expeditions and Buffalo Soldiers in the 1800s.
Although they were based at Fort Davis, Texas, the Buffalo Soldiers of African-American decent patrolled and camped in the Guadalupes. "The Mescal Roast is truly a special event," said Ken Britt, park superintendent. "The sharing by the Mescalero Apache people is a genuine gift that brings all participants closer together, as well as closer to our natural surroundings." In addition to the mescal feast and dances, Frank said, there will be a number of vendors predominately Indian — who will have booths featuring jewelry work, sculpture and fiber art.
"It will be a very interesting and fun weekend for first-time visitors to the event, as well as those who come every year," Frank said.
