INHABITANTS OF ECUADOR. 



247 



however, is genuine, being in fact inspired by fear. This timidity of character 

 so common amongst the Ecuadoreans may perhaps be explained by the frequency 

 and destructive force of the earthquakes. The frightful shocks, swallowing up 

 whole cities, seem to them divine punishments for their sins. Hence they live 

 in a state of perpetual terror, ever imploring the priests, saints and angels to 

 plead for them. 



In their fervent piety they worship the Cathoiic saints with the same faith as 

 their former idols. The two religions, old and new, have been superimposed, and 

 their supplications are equally addressed to all supernatural beings, gods and 

 demons from whom they hope for mercy, or whose wi-ath they dread. In the 



Fig. 95. — Indigenous PopuLiTiONS of Ecuaboe. 

 Scale 1 : 10,000,000, 



1S6 MUes. 



picture of Michael Archangel overcoming the devil the Indian invokes both 

 victor and vanquished, the latter possibly with the greater fervour, bringing 

 him special offerings of wax tapers, flowers and garments. 



As in Spain and as amongst the ancient Quichuas, the solemn processions 

 have their masks, their mimes and dancers ; they have also their voluntary 

 martyrs, who lacerate themselves like the mediseval flagellants and the fakirs of 

 India. Some of the devotees follow the crowd half naked, dragging along heavy 

 beams fastened to their arms and shoulders by wire cords which cause the flesh to 

 swell and the blood to spout. Others lash thorny fagots to their bodies, which at 

 every step tear their limbs and leave a stream of blood in their wake. These peni- 

 tents are known by the name of chacatascas. 



