INHABITANTS OF AMAZONIA. IIB 



baptized, thougli still preserving some of their old usages and religious practices. 

 The dead are buried under the hammock of the nearest akin, and provided with 

 food for the six days' journey which it takes to reach cloudland. 



Along the middle course of the Tapajoz dwell several Tupi tribes, such as the 

 Apiacas (Abiabas, or "Men"), the Mundurucus and the Mauhes. Although 

 usually of peaceful habits the Apiacas still occasionally indulge in their old cannibal 

 practices. Those tattooed with three horizontal bars on the cheek are privileged to 

 eat their prisoners of war, the children captured on their predatory expeditions 

 being spared till their twelfth year, when they are served up at their sacred feasts. 

 Rumour speaks of a mysterious people in their district, the Jacareuaras, a race of 

 albinoes said to travel only at night, hence usually called Morerç/o^, or " Bats." 



Of all the Brazilian aborigines the most powerful are the Mundurucus, said by 

 Bates to number i^0,000, and regarded by Couto de Magalhàes as typical children 

 of nature. Their settlements follow along the banks of the Tapajoz and in the 

 forest glades, and from them the whole country takes the name of Munducuriana. 

 Tall, stout, muscular, and of somewhat clear complexion, the various tribes and 

 classes are distinguished by their respective tattoo marks, which, although falling 

 into disuse, are still held in great respect. So elaborate were the designs that it 

 sometimes took ten years to complete the picture. 



Loyalty to their pledged word, a proud and noble bearing are characteristics of 

 the Mundurucus, who are also skilled husbandmen and expert at featherwork and 

 various other arts. Formerly very warlike, they have developed a thorough 

 military organisation, preparing in peace for war, so that at the first sound 

 of the drum all fly to arms and muster in vast barracks, from which the women 

 are excluded. They always attack at dawn, their manœuvres being directed by 

 the varied beat of the drum. In the fight no quarter is given, but after the vic- 

 tory every care is taken of the women and children, the latter being adopted to 

 repair the losses sustained in battle. 



Rio Tapajoz and Xingu Tribes. 



The Mauhes of the Lower Tapajoz, who have given their name to an extensive 

 system of creeks and channels on the south side of the Amazons, appear to belong 

 to the same group as the Mundurucus, although long separated from them, and 

 speaking a totally different language. East and west of them are the fierce Arara 

 (Yuma) Caribs, who attack always by night, and who are regarded by the sur- 

 rounding populations rather as demons than men. Till lately the Mauhes were 

 the only natives who prepared the guarana, a decoction obtained from the beans 

 of a species of liana [pauUinia sorbiiis), which is used throughout Brazil and even 

 in Bolivia against dysentery and ague. In local business transactions the paullinia 

 beans serve as currency. 



East of the Tapajoz the Xingu basin appears from Karl von den Steinen's 

 researches (1884 — 87), to have been the point of dispersion for the various Carib 

 tribes, which under so many names have spread in successive waves of migration 

 north-west to the foot of the Andes, northwards to Guiana, Venezuela, and the 



