Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/320

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Amongst the vestiges of the highest antiquity, which are found in each department, we will cite the Bacchu-ber, a Pyrrhic dance, which is now only kept up at the bridge of Cervières, a hamlet of Briançon. It probably dates from the time when peoples of Grecian origin belonging to the confederation of the Caturiges founded the then new city of Briganteum. The dance which we are about to describe is performed at this place on the 16th of August, the fete day of their patron saint, accompanied by the voices of the women, who place the oldest females in their midst.

There are always nine, eleven, or thirteen dancers, all in their shirt-sleeves; and, armed with swords which are very broad and short, and not sharp-pointed, they execute the twelve figures described below to the accompaniment of the following air:—