1851.1 



DISTRIBUTION OF CAXIRI. 



205 



two more rounds, they passed out to the outside of the house, 

 and the dance, which had apparently much pleased all the 

 spectators, was concluded. 



During all this time caxirl was being abundantly supplied, 

 three men being constantly employed carrying it to the guests. 

 They came one behind the other down the middle of the 

 house, with a large calabash-full in each hand, half stooping 

 down, with a kind of running dance, and making a curious 

 whirring, humming noise : on reaching the door they parted on 

 each side, distributing their calabashes to whoever wished to 

 drink. In a minute or two they were all empty, and the cup- 

 bearers returned to fill them, bringing them every time with 

 the same peculiar forms, which evidently constitute the etiquette 

 of the caxiri-servers. As each of the calabashes holds at least 

 two quarts, the quantity drunk during a whole night that this 

 process is going on must be very great. 



Presently the Capi was introduced, an account of which I 

 had had from Senhor L. An old man comes forward with a 

 large newly-painted earthen pot, which he sets down in the 

 middle of the house. He then squats behind it, stirs it about, 

 and takes out two small calabashes-full, which he holds up in 

 each hand. After a moment's pause, two Indians advance 

 with bows and arrows or lances in their hands. Each takes 

 the proffered cup and drinks, makes a wry face, for it is 

 intensely bitter, and stands motionless perhaps half a minute. 

 They then with a start twang their bows, shake their lances, 

 stamp their feet, and return to their seats. The little bowls 

 are again filled, and two others succeed them, with a similar 

 result. Some, however, become more excited, run furiously, 

 lance in hand, as if they would kill an enemy, shout and stamp 

 savagely, and look very warlike and terrible, and then, like the 

 others, return quietly to their places. Most of these receive a 

 hum or shake of applause from the spectators, which is also 

 given at times during the dances. 



The house at this time contained at least three hundred 

 men, women, and children ; a continual murmuring conversa- 

 tion was kept up, and fifty little fifes and flutes were constantly 

 playing, each on its own account, producing a not very harmo- 

 nious medley. After dark a large fire was lighted in the middle 

 of the house, and as it blazed up brightly at intervals, illumi- 

 nating the painted and feather-dressed dancers and the numerous 



