> 
The Chica, which they make of the cassava or manioc 
roots, is still wholesomer ; they take a few of these cakes, 
place them one a top of the other whilst warm, cover 
them with palmist leaves, and after having fermented, 
soak in warm water and place in pots, for further fer- 
mentation. This beverage they call Pernou, or Berria, 
after the berry of the cassava of which it is made. 
OF THEIR RELIGION, MARRIAGES, LYING IN OF WOMEN, 
EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN, MALADIES, MEDICINES 
AND FUNERAL CEREMONIES. 
With regard to their religion, little can be said, as to 
my knowledge it has not yet been ascertained whether 
they pray to God, or adore him, far less what idea they 
form of the Almighty ; they however show some reverence 
to the Sun and Moon, and know a little of the course of 
the Stars, which serve them as guides in the forest. 
They believe in a resurrection, for which reason they at 
their death take with them in their graves, several neces- 
saries of life, as we intend to show when speaking of 
THE INDIANS OF GUIANA. 59 
their interments 
No other religious exercises or solemnities are observed 
by them ; they however much fear the devil, who they 
affirm, does them much harm. 
They likewise have amongst them some priests, called 
Pagayers, who at the same time are their physicians, and 
are called in, when they are sick, as hereafter will appear. 
The Indians generally marry in their tribes with cousins, 
even to the second degree ; the young men look upon 
them as their future wives, marrying them when scarcely 
two or three years old, though no cohabitation takes 
place, taking however in the meanwhile another wife, 
which they discard, when their cousins become pubile. 
H 2 
