560 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



P/iolo by A. de 8. Coma. 



A PARTY OF BOTOCUDOS. 



development among the 

 true Caribs. The Caribs 

 are further peculiar in 

 that they are often found 

 scattered irregularly 

 among the other tribes; 

 they are the great pottery- 

 makers of the country, 

 although this manufac- 

 ture is shared to a small 

 degree by the Ackawois, 

 who, indeed, supply all 

 their own needs, and are 

 thus independent of the 

 other tribes. Although 

 very similar in customs 

 and language, the gentle 

 Macusis stand in awe of 

 their bolder neighbours 

 the Arecnuas. 



As regards physical 

 features, Guiana may be 

 divided into the coast 



region, next the forest region, and farther inland still the savanna districts, which pass south- 

 wards into the great savannas of Brazil. The northern coast region, in the neighbourhood 

 of the sources of the Orinoco and nearest the West Indies, is inhabited by the Warraus, 

 next to whom come the Arawaks. The forest region is almost exclusively populated by the 

 Ackawois, although a few single settlements of true Caribs (who are more abundant elsewhere) 

 are found here also. In the savanna region the Arecunas, Macusis, and Wapianas (with whom 

 dwell the Atorais) are found to the north in the neighbourhood of the Orinoco, while farther 

 south their place is taken by other tribes. With the exception of the Atorais and a few 

 others who live among their neighbours, each tribe inhabits a distinct although ill-defined 

 tract of territory. Naturally, the "forest" and "savanna Indians" differ more or less markedly 

 from one another in their mode of life. It is further important to notice that, whereas the 

 Warrauan and Arawakan stocks appear to be truly indigenous to the country, the Caribeans 

 are to be regarded in the light of immigrants; their original home, according to the latest 

 investigations, being the highlands of Matto Grosso, in the interior of Brazil. 



A very curious difference between the native and immigrant stocks is that the former 

 make their hammocks (which, by the way, are very characteristic of South American Indians) 

 from the fibres of a palm, whereas the immigrants employ cotton for this purpose. 



As regards physique, the Indians under consideration are characterised by their sleekness 

 and their tendency to run to fat at an early age; this being due to their cassava diet. The 

 features are often more Mongoloid than is the case with the tribes of North America; the 

 expression is mostly gentle, and the eyes are habitually downcast. Although capable, at a 

 pinch, of undergoing a long spell of protracted labour, the Indians of Guiana are a physically 

 weak race, and require to recuperate after unusual toil by a rest of several days in their 

 hammocks. In their original condition most of them the Ackawois, for example are 

 characterised by the practical absence of dress, the women wearing a fringed apron, and the 

 men a strip of cloth between the legs. Even when European clothes have been adopted, 

 these are found irksome, and are often doffed when away from the settlements. Both sexes 

 wear the hair long and parted in the middle; they never become bald, and light yellow hair, 

 which, in these Indians represents the grey locks of Europe, is of rare occurrence. Indeed, 



