Whereas Gumilla presents a very human scene observed by a 
sympathetic outsider, Goldman records the anthropologist’s 
view in a report of the Kubeo of the Colombian Vaupes (6). 
Fishing is one of the tribe’s regular male-oriented activities. 
Since the basic Kubeo diet consists of manioc and fish, fishing is 
an important part of the food quest. Fishing is usually individual, 
by a man (sometimes accompanied by a young son) in a canoe, 
with a hook and line, or — in the shallows — with a bow and 
arrow. However, during the summer, when the water 1s low and 
fish are trapped in shallow pools, collective fish-poisoning par- 
ties are occasionally organized. One group of the men puts up a 
weir; another gathers and prepares the poison. The nature of this 
poison is not mentioned, but the word “‘gather’’ suggests a plant. 
According to Schultes (22) the Kubeo utilize the stems and roots 
of two connaraceous vines (Connarus opacus and C. Spruce), 
in addition to the usual types. Each man loads his catch in his 
canoe, collecting the stunned fish with his bare hands or with a 
net, or shooting with bow and arrow, large fish still able to move. 
The total catch is later distributed to each household. This 
fishing is accompanied by horseplay and by jocular remarks to 
the fish themselves. 
The detail about addressing the fish may not be, as implied, a 
general and casual joking situation. Goldman supplements the 
above account with a description of a festival which takes place 
only when the Indians are in the mood for it. Each man mounts a 
dried fish on a stick and dances with it. The dancers wear 
headdresses shaped to resemble a fish-basket and carry staffs 
decorated with the feathers of fishing birds — the heron and the 
river eagle. They sing songs honoring the fish. The ritual or 
ceremonial character of this festival is denied by the Kubeo. 
Goldman (6) suspects that either they no longer recognize the 
instrumental motive or else refuse to acknowledge it, since they 
insist that it is not intended to increase the catch. 
Features of collective barbasco fishing among the Desana (18) 
seem to have significant overtones. These Indians, who, like the 
Kubeo, inhabit the Colombian Vaupés, prepare themselves 
ritually for fishing as well as for hunting. They observe a special 
diet beforehand and make themselves attractive to the fish with 
special designs of face-paint for which they use a red pigment 
and the sap of plants. Motifs representing fish fins and eyes are 
painted on the cheeks. A Desana fisherman carries with him a 
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