lph by Edmund Heller 



THE MACHIGANGA INDIANS: PERU 



These Indians gather rubber sap which they exchange for salt, knives, cloth, etc. They 

 have no conception of the use of coins. Their weapons consist of bows and arrows and 

 antiquated muzzle-loading shot-guns. They are very fond of monkey meat (see page 469). 



"Anthropological measurements and 

 observations were made by the Hrdlicka 

 method. This necessitates approximately 

 fifty notations and two photographs. 

 Furthermore, it has the advantage of re- 

 quiring but little removal of clothing and 

 consequent exposure of person. 



"As in former expeditions, the Qui- 

 chuas 'were found to be very difficult to 

 handle. They have an instinctive fear of 

 the camera and a deep suspicion of the 

 foreigner. Those living far from the 

 main trails, who come little in contact 

 with strangers, can seldom be persuaded 

 to pose for portraits. They cannot be 

 bribed or bought. They have little desire 

 for money. They will not argue the 

 question ; simply turn their backs or run. 

 There is a belief among them that the 

 camera sees through their clothing and 

 takes them in the nude. 



"Along the more frequented lines of 

 travel and in the small towns, especiallv 



after a few days of association, or by 

 gaining their confidence through medical 

 treatment, I could persuade many to pose 

 for their portraits. Interest in their ail- 

 ments and sympathy for their troubles 

 would buy almost anything, from anthro- 

 pological measurements to mule feed. By 

 these methods and the occasional use of 

 empty tin cans, cracker-boxes, and small 

 silver coins, 153 Ouichuas Avere meas- 

 ured — 90 men and 63 women — and nearly 

 as many photographed. 



"The men were keen in the use of the 

 dynamometer, the interpreter having ex- 

 plained that the one who put the needle 

 the highest was the best man." 



Southern Peru may be divided into 

 three zones, based on altitude. These 

 are : first, the highlands, the country de- 

 voted to grazing and potato-raising, 12,- 

 000 feet or more in altitude ; second, the 

 cereal belt, between 7,000 and 12,000 feet 

 in altitude; and, third, the belt of tropical 



472 



