WHOLE VOL. ARAUCANIAN CHILD LIFE — HILGER 245 



men, with rare exceptions, wore none. Women wore them, and also 

 neck pieces and bracelets. Formerly men also probably wore bracelets. 

 Nose rings were never worn. Brown is accepted as the Araucanian 

 skin color. Body or face painting was not institutional. A nose like 

 the bill of the bandurria (bird) is a matter of pride; a mother will 

 massage her child's nose to shape it thus. Both men and women have 

 an interest in their personal appearance. 



Special friendships between two men, a man and a woman, or be- 

 tween two families exist, and find expression in a ceremonial. Cour- 

 tesy is an outstanding virtue of the Araucanians. In some forms and 

 on specific occasions it must follow conventions. Hospitality among 

 Araucanians themselves and toward strangers is most gracious. Will- 

 ingness to help can be relied upon, especially in a neighborhood group. 



An expression of appreciation of an individual's intelligence is the 

 finest compliment that can be paid the person. Differences in intelli- 

 gence, however, are recognized. Patience is a virtue of all Arau- 

 canians, especially of women. Standards of modesty exist. In general, 

 young women live chaste lives ; married women even more so. In 

 general, too, men show respect for women. 



Prolonged feuds between families seldom occur, though sporadic 

 quarrels arise. Within the family the father is known to give vent 

 to anger toward his wife and children; he demands obedience from 

 both. Quarreling occurs between persons and families, but not often. 



Prolonged quarreling between husband and wife is of rare occur- 

 rence, for usually the wife gives in. An occasional one who does not 

 may then be beaten by her husband to the extent that she will hang 

 herself. Outside the family revenge is taken by harming fields or 

 persons through witchcraft. Insulting, vile, and imprecating expres- 

 sions are used by angry persons. Both suicide and murder occurred, 

 but seldom. Cannibalism was not part of the Araucanian culture. 



According to Chilean policemen, Araucanians are law-abiding citi- 

 zens. Offenses that occasionally warrant arrests are theft and injury 

 inflicted on a non-Araucanian during intoxication. Drinking to excess 

 is done only when in a group. Women rarely drink to excess. 



Teaching the child. — Today, as formerly, teachers of the child are 

 its parents and brothers and sisters, with parents as chief instructors ; 

 grandparents, only then when they fill the place of parents. Both 

 parents train a small child. As it grows older the mother trains the 

 girl in woman's work, the father, the boy in a man's responsibilities. 

 Both parents share character training. 



In general, the small child has great freedom ; seldom is it punished. 

 Children learn by direct instruction, by imitating elders in work or 



