WHOLE VOL. ARAUCANIAN CHILD LIFE — HILGER 385 



taken by adults. A ceremonial known as machitun was formerly per- 

 formed over critically ill persons, including children. A sympathetic 

 adult may perform the katawe on himself, if a child is injured. No 

 person was known to be color blind or to stutter; left-handed men 

 and women existed. 



There was no formal adoption of children, but an orphan or a child 

 from a broken home was reared by relatives. An adult who spoke of 

 small children, especially of babies, could expect one to be brought 

 to him to be reared. Captives were taken and reared by both Arau- 

 canians and Argentines in time of war. 



Names. — A name, usually that of a deceased relative, was given 

 the child on the occasion of the piercing of its ears. The name was 

 selected by either or both parents. If the father did not announce the 

 child's name to those present, one of the grandmothers did so. No 

 prayers were said, nor was there a ceremony. The origin of Arau- 

 canian names was not known to informants; some names lent them- 

 selves to translation, others did not. Feminine names differed from 

 masculine ones. A woman's given name was generally not used when 

 speaking of her. Until recent years there were no surnames. Adults, 

 both men and women, but not children, were given nicknames. 



The family. — A family had status in the coinmunity if it conformed 

 to established law and order, followed the accepted pattern of be- 

 havior, and maintained its economic independence. The man domi- 

 nated the family, but his wife or wives, in case of multiple wives, and 

 the children had a status of importance and individuality within the 

 family. Peace usually reigned in the family if there was no resistance 

 to the man's authority. In the event of a disagreement, the wife 

 usually gave in. 



Parents love their children, provide for them, teach and train them, 

 and assist their sons in the choice of a mate. Children respect their 

 parents and provide for them when necessary. Among themselves, 

 children, in general, are agreeable. 



Children's behavior. — A girl's hair is not cut; a boy's is. Children 

 have keen sight and hearing. They are courteous to each other and to 

 strangers, and most respectful to older persons, having been taught 

 to be so by parents. They are also taught to be helpful; not to be 

 boastful or jealous ; not to quarrel — persistent quarrelers are punished, 

 usually whipped. Tale bearers are listened to, but ignored if the 

 matter is of no importance. Obedience is demanded by parents of all 

 children, formerly even after they became adults and married. If a 

 child persists in disobeying after having been whipped, its blood is let, 

 the belief being that its blood is bad. 



