384 Sir R. Schomburgk on the Natives of Guiana. 



and the cassada which was planted at the time of his death 

 being now ripe, the guests are feasted with paiwori and 

 game. A dance is performed over his grave, and the dancers 

 flog each other with whips prepared for that purpose, which 

 they hang up in the hut of the deceased when the ceremony 

 is over. About six moons later another dance follows, when 

 these whips are buried, and with them the remembrance of 

 the dead, as well as any resentment which may have been 

 felt in consequence of the severe flogging which has been in- 

 flicted upon each other. 



The Caribs put the body into a hammock, where it is daily 

 washed by the wives or nearest female relatives, and watch- 

 ed, that it be not molested by beasts of prey or insects. 

 After it has become putrid, the bones are cleansed, painted, 

 and put into a pacal or basket, and carefully preserved. If 

 they abandon this settlement, the bones are consumed with 

 fire, and the ashes collected and taken with them. The 

 women who cleanse the bones are considered unclean for 

 several moons. 



The Indians undoubtedly possess some religious principle, 

 and believe in the immortality of the soul. They acknow- 

 ledge the existence of a Superior Being ; but say, that the 

 urgent business of keeping the world in order prevents him 

 from paying that attention to man which he would wish, and 

 numerous evil spirits are thus permitted to exercise a perni- 

 cious influence, thereby causing sickness and death. With 

 a view to counteract this influence, recourse is had to the 

 sorcerer, piaiman, or piatra, who, by incantations or magical 

 ceremonies, pretends to restore health, or to turn the evil 

 from such of his dupes who pay him well for his supernatu^ 

 ral agency. It is therefore evident, that this individual 

 exercises the gi^eatest power over the community, and is rcr 

 garded with awe and respect. 



