PROVINCE OF GOYAZ. 



241 



District of Cayaponia. 



Cayaponia derives its name from the Cayapo nation, who have occupied it 

 from time immemorial. 



It is bounded on the north by the district of Goyaz ; on the west by Bororonia, 

 from which it is separated by the river Araguaya ; on the south by Camapuania, 

 from which it is divided by the river Pardo ; and on the east by the rivers 

 Paranna, Parannahiba, and Annicuns, which separate it> the first from the pro- 

 vince of St. Paulo, the others from the district of Rio das Velhas. The northern 

 limit is distinctly marked by a range of mountains, running in the same parallel 

 of latitude as the lake of Pasmados, situated near the river of its name, in 

 17° 20'. It is upwards of two hundred and fifty miles in length from north to 

 south, and one hundred and seventy at its medium width. 



It is the least known amongst the districts of this province, not yet possessing 

 a single Christianized estabhshment. The Cayapos, divided into various tribes, 

 under whose dominion it hitherto remains, have from time to time made destruc- 

 tive sallies upon the ca-avans of Cuiaba, and invaded the northern part of the 

 province of St. Paulo, where they have occasioned the flight of many colonies. 

 They wander about almost in a state of nudity. Besides the bow and arrow, 

 arms common to all the other Indian nations, they use also a club about one 

 yard in length, of choice wood, round at the end which they lay hold of, and 

 flat in the form of an oar at the other, the whole ornamented or dressed with the 

 barks of shrubs of various colours, and woven in imitation of a mat. A blow 

 from this weapon is fatal. Honey, fish, wild fruits, and game are their aliment. 

 Their principal dwelling places are in the vicinity of the river Cururuhy, and 

 not far removed from the cataract of Urubu Punga, whither they are in the 

 habit of proceeding in large parties, for the purpose of fishing. There are times 

 that the Portuguese do not experience any hostility from these Indians, and 

 amongst other instances, one occurred in the year 1810, when Dr. Joam Ferreyra, 

 treasurer-mor of the cathedral of St. Paulo, in order to gratify his curiosity, 

 proceeded to visit and examine this famous cataract, where he arrived at the 

 same time that a tribe of Cayapos appeared there, who conducted themselves 

 as ancient allies, and with every appearance of friendship ; they received gra- 

 ciously the presents which the traveller liberally offered to them, and allowed 

 various persons of both sexes and different ages to remain in his company. 



The ancient certanistas met with various rivers in the interior of this district, 

 flowing southward, and their diaries enumerate, amongst others, the Perdi^ao, 

 which is nearest to the Annicuns, and most probably one of its tributaries ; the 



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