THK ARAWAKS. 071 



in the neighbourhood of the British settlements, have ever 

 been noted for their mild and peaceable disposition. But still 

 they have been compelled to fight for their independence, and 

 use bows and arrows and clubs — the latter formidable weapon 

 being similar to that of the Caribs. More family affection than 

 other tribes usually exhibit exists among them. Husbands 

 and wives appear faithful and attached, and live happily to- 

 gether. The boys are early trained to fish and paddle their 

 canoes; while the girls assist their mothers, who generally have 

 to do more work than the men. The power of their chiefs, 

 who were formerly called caciques, has almost entirely ceased ; 

 indeed, their ancient manners and customs have been greatly 

 changed by their intercourse with the whites. Those living 

 still further in the country, however, practise many of their 

 barbarous customs. 



Mr. Brett describes a scene he witnessed on the Lake 

 Wakapoa — a dance given in honour of a deceased female, who 

 had been buried in the house where it took place. A broad 

 plank lay on her grave, and on it were placed two bundles, 

 containing the refuse of the silk grass, of which whips — em- 

 ployed as will be described — were made. There were also two 

 rudely-carved birds in wood, the other figures intended to 

 represent infants. Two large tubs of paiwari — an intoxicat- 

 ing liquor — had also been prepared. 



The young men and boys, fantastically adorned, were 

 arranged in two parallel rows facing each other ; each hold- 

 ing in his right hand a whip, called the maquarri, more than 

 three feet long, and capable of giving a severe cut — as their 

 bleeding legs soon amply testified. The dance in which 

 they were engaged takes its name from this whip. They 

 waved them in their hands as they danced, uttering alter- 



