heathenish – adj. non-Christian; or non-religious
pulse – n. a strong, regular beat or pattern of sounds in music — usually singular
sacred – adj. worthy of religious worship: very holy
elder – n. a person who has authority because of age and experience
category – n. a group of people or things that are similar in some way
bustle – n. a frame or pad worn in the past under a skirt or dress to hold it out from the body in the back
swing – v. to move backward and forward or from side to side while hanging from something
ail – to suffer bad health
rodeo – n. an event in which people compete at riding horses and bulls, catching animals with ropes, etc.
contest – n. an event in which people try to win by doing something better than others