A FEW REMARKS ABOUT THE MACUSIS. 
By Rev. W. F. Goveu, S8.J. 
The writer of the following remarks does not claim to have any expert know- 
ledge of the aboriginal inhabitants of this colony, but proposes merely to give 
to the readers of Timehrisome little idea of one of the numerous tribes of these 
interesting people, such as he has acquired from a residence of a few months 
in their midst. 
The Macusis dwell on the banks of the Upper Esse quibo and its tributary, 
the Rupununi, and on both sides of the Ireng and the Takutu Rivers. It will 
thus be seen that this tribe is not confined to this colony, as many of its members 
are to be found on the Brazilian side of the Ireng and the Takutu, which rivers 
form the western boundary of this colony, separating us from the great 
Republic of Brazil. 
Having been brought but little into touch with civilization it is but natural 
that the Macusis should be less civilized than their sister tribes dwelling 
nearer the coast ; nevertheless they are a quiet, peaceable people possessing 
many natural virtues in no small degree. Anyone whose idea of an Indian 
is of a man who goes about armed with a tomahawk, or some other murderous 
weapon, ready to split the skull of any stranger whom he may chance to meet, 
would, needless to say, be agreeably surprised by a visit to the Macusis. On 
approaching one of their houses he might at first be frightened by a number of 
dogs running to meet him and barking more or less furiously ; but though these 
dogs bark, they very seldom bite, and if the stranger were to stoop down as if 
to pick up a stone the dogs would soon disappear. The next thing he would 
notice would be all the people, men, women and children, coming out of the 
house to have a look at him, examining him as attentively as we might ex2mine 
some strange animal in a zoological garden. 
Having gone through this little ordeal perhaps our friend may be encouraged 
to enter the house, which will be found to be built with poles, the sides being 
filled in with mud, or, if the owner is less industrious, they will be covered 
with palm leaves ; the roof will be made of palm leaves. Having entered, he 
will put down his bag on the floor and will sit down on a low stool which the 
lady of the house will offer him. If he is thirsty—which be probably will be, 
if he has had a long walk or ride under a hot sun—one of the women will bring 
him a calabash filled with casiri, the native beer, a beverage made from the 
cassava ; it contains only 2 small percentage of alcohol, but when the Indians 
have a casiri feast they drink it in such large quantities that they become 
hopelessly drunk; such feasts, however, occur very seldom. Perhaps our 
friend will at first find casiri not very palatable, but, of course, he can always 
have water if he prefers it. He will perhaps be startled to find the people 
opening his bag—unless he has taken the precaution beforehand of locking it 
—and turning everything out ; but it is all right, they are not going to steal 
