1875.] ^'^'^ [Gabb. 



enemy, killing large numbers. After this a desultory warfare was kept 

 up ; each party striving to take the other unawares, and to capture as 

 many heads as possible. This went on until the Tiribi, reduced to a 

 handful, sued for peace and submitted as a conquered people to the 

 Bri-bris. Since then, the chief of the Bri-bris has always retained the 

 right of final choice of chief of the Tiribis, after nomination of the can- 

 didate by his own people. Beyond this, no actual control has ever been 

 exercised. The Tiribi story does not differ from the above, except in 

 the origin. It throAvs the blame of the first aggression on the Bri-bris. 

 In some respects the Tiribis are superior to the Bri-bris. The children 

 are more respectful to their parents; the women are more modest in dress 

 and behavior, and the men are more industrious. This is their boast, and 

 while they look down on the Bri-bris, the latter despise them as a con- 

 quered people. A^ery little communication occurs between the two tribes, 

 and I could learn of but two cases of intermarriage between them . 



I have already said the Tiribis and Cabecars are under the political rule 

 of the Bri-bris. The form of government is extremely simple. One family 

 holds the hereditary right of chieftainship, and up to 1873 the reigning 

 chief had theoretically full powers of government. The succession is not 

 in direct line, but on the death of the incumbent, the most eligible mem- 

 ber of the royal family is selected to fill the vacancy. Often a son is 

 passed over in favor of a second cousin of the last chief. The present 

 chief is first cousin of his predecessor, who was nephew of his predecessor, 

 who was in turn a cousin to his. 



Formerly the chiefs held only a nominal control over their people. The 

 principal advantages derived from the position were rather of a social 

 than a political nature. The chief was conducted to the best hammock 

 for a seat on entering a house. He was treated to their great luxury, cho- 

 colate, when persons of less note were fain to be content with chicha. But 

 in case of a quarrel the chief had to defend himself from the blows of the 

 long, heavy fighting-stick like any ordinary mortal. Within the last 

 decade or two, the traders, by throwing their influence on the side of the 

 chief, have caused him to be treated with more respect, and endowed him 

 with the attributes of a judge over his people, in all ordinary disputes. 

 About 1870 or 1871, Santiago, the then chief, paid a visit to Cartago and 

 San Jose ; was well treated, and received an appointment from the Gov- 

 ernment, for the position which he already held, with the full approval of 

 his tribe. It had been customary for the heir-apparent, the future suc- 

 cessor, to hold a position as second, or subordinate chief, with little or 

 no authority. One Lapiz was at that time second chief, and claimed 

 that he was more entitled than the other to the chieftainship. Exagger- 

 ated ideas of great mineral wealth in "Talamanca" have been long held 

 in Costa Rica and the Commandant of Moen, a little settlement on the 

 Atlantic coast, used principally as a penal station, conspired with Lapiz 

 against Santiago. This individual, named Marchena, advised Lapiz to 

 assassinate his chief, and thereby place himself at the head of the tribe. 



