SOUTH AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURES — KRIEGER 411 



Chaco and of Amazonia, we have among them strong Peruvian 

 influence. Characteristic of this group are the well-known Payagua, 

 formerly much feared because of their piracies along the Paraguay 

 River. During the years 1740 to 1790 they were conquered and forced 

 to settle in the Province of Asuncion. 



There extends from the vicinity of the Argentinean and Bolivian 

 Chaco up to the Brazilian Matto Grosso the group known as the 

 " Guaicuru." These were equestrian tribes equipped with short bows 

 and reed arrows. Their habits of life resemble those of the more 

 southerly Chaco and Pampas Tribes. They have, because of their 

 warlike disposition, provided constant danger for the outlying 

 settlements and for travelers. However, one of these tribes, the 

 Cadiueo in the Matto Grosso, has shown a friendly spirit in its 

 intercourse with the culture settlements. 



Some of the tribes of the Guaicuru are the Abipone, Toba, 

 Mbocobi, Mbaya, and Cadiueo. The Abipone were exterminated by 

 the Toba in historical times and are well known only from early 

 literature. The Guaicuru were excellent hunters and fishermen, 

 the Cadiueo being slightly acquainted with agriculture and weaving. 

 The Cadiueo were also expert potters. Their weapons were clubs, 

 lances, and bows and arrows; knives, before the introduction of 

 iron, were made from the teeth of the pirana fish or of shell or 

 stone. Scalping and head hunting were engaged in with the aid 

 of such weapons. A loin covering, a robe of skin, and little else 

 constituted their wearing apparel. Women were addicted to pro- 

 fuse tattooing about the face, and the men painted their bodies 

 with the juice of the genipa. Clans and clan chieftains, communal 

 houses, and medicine men all are reminiscent, along with scalping, 

 of the Plainsmen of North America. 



Other stocks of the Gran Chaco are the Lule, Mataco, Payagua, 

 and Charrua. The Payagua are not equestrian and live on the 

 banks of the Paraguay River. The Charrua of the Uruguay River 

 area, like their Patagonian relatives, are oarsmen and use the bola. 

 Earlier Chaco tribes are the Lengua, Toothli, and Suhin. 



The Chamacoco, Lengua, Tumraha, and Macikui tribes of the 

 Gran Chaco occupy small settlements made up of toldos, houses 

 roofed with grass or palm-leaf thatch. Each communal house in- 

 cludes the members of a separate clan, divided into family groups. 



The Gran Chaco is subject to drought and floods. Because of un- 

 favorable environment, the agricultural habits of the natives are 

 elementary and limited to what might be called food gathering. 

 Wild honey, wild beans, palm shoots, and vegetables are collected. 

 Game and fish are eaten rather than the flesh of domesticated ani- 

 mals. The pepper-pot of the tropical forest tribes is simulated. 



