Sir R. Schomburgk on the Natives of Guiana, 381 



falls first in their way, the men a war-club, a gun, or a 

 cutlass ; the females, a baby, a puppy, or a monkey ; and, 

 with eyes bent to the ground, the dance commences, the 

 measure of which is in triple time. It is accompanied by a 

 monotonous song, which is strongly marked by stamping 

 with the foot, or knocking the ground with a hollow cylinder 

 of bamboo, surrounded with the seed vessels of a species of 

 cerbera, which make a rattling noise. The words of the 

 dancers, which are extemporaneous, are frequently repeated. 

 They continue moving round and round, first one way and 

 then the other, or they follow each other in single file. After 

 this measured dance, which is intended to keep away evil 

 spirits, the leader of the column approaches the trough of 

 paiwori, and, taking the calabash from the hand of his neigh- 

 bour, dips it gravely into the trough, and takes a sip ; this 

 is announced by the recommencement of the song, and the 

 rattling of the maraca. The calabash is then presented 

 to the others, who help themselves at pleasure. Several 

 other dances follow, which are monotonous in song and move- 

 ment. 



The paiwori resembles in taste our malt liquor, and when 

 taken in large quantities is intoxicating ; it has not, how- 

 ever, the injurious effects of spiritous liquors, but the scenes 

 which accompany such a drinking bout beggar all descrip- 

 tion. Unpalatable as this beverage must prove to a Euro- 

 pean, when presented to him as a pledge by his host it is 

 necessary that he should drink it ; the contrary would offend 

 the Indian and awaken distrust. 



Dancing appears to be a practice which belongs as much 

 to the civilized nations of the world, as to those whom we 

 have termed savages ; and all the Indian tribes whom I have 

 had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with, delight in 

 this amusement. 



They possess several instruments, chiefly flutes, made upon 

 primitive principles, some of reeds or bamboo, others of the 

 thigh bones of animals. The Warrau Indians have, in largo 

 settlements, the band-master or hohohit, whose duty it is to 

 train his pupils to blow upon flutes made of reeds and bam- 



