566 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



nowadays it is seldom that the grave is dug of sufficient depth to admit of this. Certain 

 possessions are also buried with the body. On the completion of the interment a fire is 

 lighted over the grave, the praises of the deceased are chanted, with dancing, singing, and 

 drinking; and the house is then finally deserted. Dancing and feasting are, moreover, indulged 

 in on many occasions, when a large quantity of the national beverage (paiwnri) is always 

 consumed. Invitations to these paiwari feasts are sent to the neighbouring tribes; and the 

 performance may take the shape of either wrestling or dancing, the dancers carrying specially 

 decorated sticks. Formerly the whip-dance, in which each performer was armed with a 

 macquarie, or fibre whip, with which at stated intervals he slashed his partner's legs, was 

 a favourite diversion. 



BRAZIL, PARAGUAY, ETC. 



MAXY of the tribes mentioned in the preceding 

 section extend southwards into Brazil, the interior 

 of which, as already mentioned, appears to have 

 been the birthplace of the Caribs. It remains, 

 however, to state that the Arawakan stock has a 

 still greater southern extension, reaching to the 

 head-waters of the Paraguay River in lat. 20 S. 

 A totally distinct Brazilian stock is the Gesan, 

 in which are included the Camacans and the 

 notorious Botocudos; the latter resembling the Eskimo 

 in the long and narrow shape of their heads. 



In the Goyaz district, lying due west of Bahia, 

 are a large number of Gesan tribes, sometimes 

 collectively known as Tupuyans. They comprise 

 the Kayapos or Suyas, of the district between the 

 Araguaya and Xingu rivers, and likewise the Akuas 

 or Cherentes, of the Upper Tocantins. The Boto- 

 cudos, on the other hand, inhabit the Serra dos 

 Aimores, on the coast, whence they are frequently 

 known by the name of Aimores. Although of late 

 years considerably improved by missionary exertions, 

 they were formerly among the lowest of the American 

 peoples so low, indeed, that they had not even 

 reached the level of a stone age, all their imple- 

 ments, weapons, and household utensils being made 

 of wood or bone. They wandered naked through the 



primeval forests of their native home, without dwellings of any kind, and sleeping on the 

 bare ground or among the ashes of their last camp-fires. In addition to the flesh of 

 such larger animals as they could manage to kill, their food consisted of grubs, frogs, 

 snakes, honey, roots, berries, and fruits; these being frequently consumed raw, but sometimes 

 cooked in large bamboo vessels. Feuds were constant between the different tribes, and the 

 bodies of the slain were always devoured by the victors, while their heads were set on stakes 

 and employed as targets in archery practice. Among their most prized ornaments were collars 

 and necklaces made of the teeth of those whom they had devoured in their cannibal feasts. 

 Even among such degraded creatures as these the sacred ness of the marriage tie for the period 

 the union lasted was, however, strictly observed. In other respects the women had but a poor 

 time, being frequently belaboured with heavy clubs or slashed with bamboo knives by their 

 lords and masters. As to their religion, if such it could be called, the sun was regarded as 

 the source of all things good, and the moon of all evil. Demons, which could be frightened 



Photo by M. Pierre l'cli:\ 



AN ARAUCANIAN MAN. 



