198 Through the Brazilian Wilderness 



Well, these Parecis Indians enthusiastically play foot- 

 ball with their heads. The game is not only native to 

 them, but I have never heard or read of its being played 

 by any other tribe or people. They use a light hollow 

 rubber ball, of their own manufacture. It is circular and 

 about eight inches in diameter. The players are divided 

 into two sides, and stationed much as in association foot- 

 ball, and the ball is placed on the ground to be put in play 

 as in football. Then a player runs forward, throws him- 

 self flat on the ground, and butts the ball toward the 

 opposite side. This first butt, when the ball is on the 

 ground, never lifts it much and it rolls and boimds to- 

 ward the opponents. One or two of the latter run toward 

 it ; one throws himself flat on his face and butts the ball 

 back. Usually this butt lifts it, and it flies back in a 

 curve well up in the air ; and an opposite player, rushing 

 toward it, catches it on his head with such a swing of his 

 brawny neck, and such precision and address that the 

 ball bounds back through the air as a football soars after 

 a drop-kick. If the ball flies off to one side or the other 

 it is brought back, and again put in play. Often it will be 

 sent to and fro a dozen times, from head to head, until 

 finally it rises with such a sweep that it passes far over 

 the heads of the opposite players and descends behind 

 them. Then shrill, rolling cries of good-humored tri- 

 umph arise from the victors; and the game instantly 

 begins again with fresh zest. There are, of course, no 

 such rules as in a specialized ball-game of civilization; 

 and I saw no disputes. There may be eight or ten, or 

 many more, players on each side. The ball is never 

 touched with the hands or feet, or with anything except 



