BOTH) kaxaima; the invisible arrow ■ 357 



filled with water. A fire was kindled, and on this the pot was placed. 

 When the water began to boil, according to the side on which one of 

 the pieces was first thrown out from the pot by the bubbling of the 

 water, in that direction would the Kanaima be" (ScR, i, 325). A 

 consultation is thereupon held, the place is pointed out, and the 

 individual whose death is to atone for that of the deceased (Be, 57). 

 If any one — man, woman, or child — has incuired the hatred of the 

 all-powerful piai, or should the latter be desirous of the wife of some 

 Indian, this or the other would be the cause of the death (ScR, n, 496). 



334. A near relative is charged with the work of vengeance: he 

 becomes a Kanaima, 'is supposed to be po3sessed by the destroying 

 Spirit so-called, and has to live apart according to strict rule, and 

 submit to many privations until the deed of blood be accomplished 

 (Br, 357). If the individual can not be found, or rather if the favor- 

 able opportunity for committing the deed does not present itself, 

 although it wall be sought for years, any other member of his family 

 will sufhce. Sometimes the near relative will charge himself Vtith. 

 the duty: a little Warrau boy of about 12 years of age avenges his 

 father's and mother's death by smashing in the piai's skull with a 

 club when the latter lies drunk in his hammock (ScR, i, 158). 

 Formerly, the Indians at the Great Falls of the Demerara were 

 employed by the Arawaks of the lower district to work their vengeance 

 as Kanaima mercenaries (Da, 277). The Indians of Iteuni, Berbice 

 River, sent a deputation to the Arekuna tribe wnth presents, to 

 induce them to come and exterminate Mekro and his settlement. 

 These Arekunas, chosen for the deed of blood on account of the 

 remoteness of their habitation as likely to baffle aU trace of the origi- 

 nators (Da, 16), came over from a great distance. Some Indians, who 

 are adepts in the art of making subtle poisons, hire themselv&s out 

 to rid their employers of any obnoxious individuals, and these are 

 called Kanaimas (Bro, 141). These examples serve to show how the 

 work of vengeance could be deputed to strangers and mercenaries. 



325. But whoever it may be that is charged with the duty of 

 avenging the death, he suddenly disappears from the settlement: 

 no one knows where he is. He wanders now as Kanaima through 

 the forests, valleys, and heights, and does not return until he has 

 slain his victim or shot him with the poisoned arrow. Half a year 

 or more [even years] may thus be spent, dining wliich time he avoids 

 all contact with other Indians. From the moment he leaves the 

 settlement, he is outlawed — he has cut aU the ties which bind him to 

 his family and his tribe — and it is the business of any Inchans who 

 may meet him in the bush, to kill him (ScR, i, 322-3). Nor is he 

 allowed to speak with any he may meet in his way, says Bernau 

 (57), but Ililhouse makes the statement for the ^Vrawaks, that an 

 Indian who is deputed to revenge a murder will follow his enemy 



