234 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



other, and saluted their neighbours, at most, by 

 pouting out their Hps, and a scarcely audible nasal 

 tone. I^n the middle of the assembly, and nearest 

 to the pot, stood the chief, who, by his strength, 

 cunning, and courage, had obtained some com- 

 mand over them, and had received Ife m Mag l icr > 

 the title of captain. In his right hand he held the 

 maraca, the abovementioned castanet, which they 

 call Gringcrina ^, and rattled with it, beating time 

 with his right foot. *^ Rather walking than dancing, 

 lie advanced slowly, with his body bent forwards, 

 round the pot, towards which his eyes were con- 

 stantly turned. The dance, the measure of which 

 was in triple time, was accompanied by him with 

 a low monotonous singing, which was more strongly 

 marked when he stamped with his foot. The 

 oftener the song was repeated, the more solemn 

 and animated was the expression of his voice and 

 features. All the rest stood motionless round the 

 pot, stared at him without speaking, and only now 

 and then, when the words of the dancer, which 

 seemed to be extempore, moved them, they broke 

 out into immoderate cries. After this measured 

 circular dance, by which, probably, it was intended 

 to conjure and keep off evil spirits, the leader ap- 

 proached the pot, took from the hand of his neigh- 

 bour the drinking vessel which he held ready, 



* We did not find any traces among the Indians of the 

 oracles of the Maraca, mentioned in the accounts of earlier 

 travellers. 



