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INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY — PUBLICATION NO. 13 



the most popular. Most favor the latter, but some 

 claim that it is too long for a man of "medium" 

 stature, who uses, in its stead, either a 22 or a 

 35. One states that his machete is an "eagle," 

 No. 1724 ; we did not see the implement and assume 

 that the eagle is simply the emblem borne by a 

 standard product, probably not manufactured by 

 Collins. Another, who identifies the make of his 

 machete as a "hammer," actually uses a Collins 

 22, which has this insignia as part of the trade- 

 mark, as does the Collins 460. 



"There is no Totonac name for the machete," 

 although some call it masita (cf. p. 230). In- 

 formants distinguish four types by Spanish 

 terms : 



about the same length as the latter (one which we pur- 

 chased is close to 80 cm. long), but is much narrower 

 and "thicker," that is, of heavier steel. 



d. Machete de media cinta (so-called, because it re- 

 sembles the preceding type, but is shorter). This serves 

 the same purposes as the machete de cinta but is approxi- 

 mately 8 cm. shorter. 



We have not been able to accord the above clas- 

 sification very well with commercial types, but 

 Collins 460 definitely is the machete de cinta; 22 

 and 35, presumably the media cinta. Of the hua- 

 parra and huapote, we are uncertain. These evi- 

 dently were most popular a good many years ago ; 

 although it is said that some still are used cur- 

 rently, we observed none and know the instrument 

 only from description. One informant thinks 



E 



Figure 68. — Machete and sheath. Both purchased in Papantla store. Scale: Approximately }i natural size. 



a. Huaparra. The blade is broad, but thin. This type 

 is preferred by some because it is "handsome" and 

 "sounds pretty" as it cuts. For clearing along trails and 

 for cleaning light growth from a field, preparatory to 

 felling the trees, it is useful ; but for cutting close to the 

 ground, it is not satisfactory. This machete must not be 

 used on bamboo, for the blade will nick ; nor should 

 hard or thick wood be cut with it, since the steel will 

 bend. Accordingly, the huaparra is a luxury (lujo) for 

 the average Totonac man. 



b. Huapote. Because of its form, this machete bears 

 the name of the fish, huapote. It is similar to the pre- 

 ceding, but shorter, about the same length as the media 

 cinta mentioned below. The huapote is considered par- 

 ticularly handy for cutting sugarcane. 



c. Machete de cinta (literally, strip or band, presum- 

 ably because the blade is long and thin, with its sides 

 roughly parallel) (fig. 68). This implement serves all 

 the uses for which the huaparra is not adequate. It is 



that both still are obtainable in Papantla, but we 

 located none. 



The machete is purchased already tempered, but 

 without cutting edge. The latter is applied by 

 working the blade Avith a file or with a special 

 stone (called m,ollejon), purchased in Papantla 

 and thought to be brought from Huauchinango. 

 Most prefer the stone, since a file wears the steel 

 rapidly. However, when a man sallies forth to 

 clear a field, he generally carries a file, in case the 

 blade needs retouching in the course of the day. 

 When fields are being prepared for planting, an 

 almost daily chore is that of sharpening the 

 machete before one leaves the house. 



In ordinary times, a machete costs about $10.00 



