INDIAN COSTUMES KRIEGER 659 



The aboriginal inhabitants of the west coast of South America 

 south of Peru possessed a crude culture distinct from that of the 

 ancient Peruvians. Loom weaving and other culture traits of the 

 Incas later appeared as far south as the Maule River and are now 

 extensively practiced. The Araucanian Indians formerly occupied the 

 greater part of Chile. (PI. 35.) To the south were the Choncans 

 and the Ona, who Avcre in possession of a distinct culture centering 

 about the hunting of the guanaco with bola and lasso. 



There are exhibited in the national collections from this area woven 

 and embroidered textiles, consisting of figured woven blankets and 

 strijDed ponchos, woven slings in orange and purple colors, woven 

 headbands striped and decorated with silver beads, figured and 

 fringed woven belts, and other decorated fabrics. The more ad- 

 vanced culture of the region about Lake Titicaca is exemplified by 

 blankets and slings of vicuiia wool. 



The more primitive jungle culture of the middle Amazon is shown 

 in examples of bark cloth, bright-colored ornaments, and necklaces 

 of seeds or of teeth. 



The environment of the upper Amazon varies from the arid west- 

 ern slope of the Andes to the heavily forested region at the eastern 

 foothills. The tribes of the Andean region of Peru and northern 

 Bolivia were characterized by a very advanced culture. Articles 

 in the exhibit from that region demonstrate their skill in weaving. 

 The brilliant feathers and the green-beetle wings were much used 

 for personal adornment by the tribes of the eastern Andes, whose 

 culture becomes more primitive as it leaves the old Inca center about 

 Cuzco. Aprons of beadwork with geometric designs, bracelets and 

 armlets of bark and feathers, and feathered ceremonial gourd rattles 

 indicate the artistic concepts of the Indians of the lower tropical 

 forested region. 



A typical example of the Indian tribes inhabiting the forest region 

 of the upper Amazon are the Jivaro Indians of Ecuador. The Jivaro 

 live on the headwaters of the Maranon River. Their costume shows 

 consideration and appreciation of color, which they derive from 

 tropical birds and beetles. The cincture and headdress are made 

 by fastening the feathers of the toucan and blue chatterer to a 

 foundation of bark cloth. The necklace, armlets, and leglets are made 

 of seeds, beetle wings, monkey teeth, and teeth of the puma. The bag 

 carried in the hand is knit from a continuous string. (PI. 36.) The 

 costume exhibited was collected by W. E. Safford. 



Another exhibit from the Jivaro Indians is the collection of J. G. 

 Culbertson. It includes featherwork, beaded aprons, and bandoliers 

 of small disklike black seeds, and dried human heads as ornaments 



