31 
R. Schomburgk^ Dr. Phil. 
extent from becoming acquainted with the traditions connected 
almost with every mountain of a singular configuration, which 
were related to us. 
On the same, as also on another, occasion it had been 
spread abroad through the surrounding country that 
Paranaghieris (white people) had arrived in Torong-Yauwise, 
and already the next and following day the generally quiet 
valleys and plain became lively with people in their best and 
gaudy ornaments, advancing in long files towards the village, 
whilst echo repeated the wild beat of the drums and shrill 
notes of the pipes by which they were accompanied. Every 
one of these caravans which we could observe from the 
distance called us forth from our huts to see them pass, and 
to enjoy the sight of their fantastic dresses, the headdresses 
made of the beautiful feathers of the Macaws, the weapons 
such as the war club, and bows and arrows. According to 
the custom of each tribe, as there were Macusis, Wapisianas, 
Pauixanas, and Arekunas, the men, women, and children 
were painted red and black. The chief preceded them, 
immediately following came the musicians, who produced ex- 
traordinary sounds on their drums and pipes, the latter made of 
the femurs of their killed enemies. They were again followed 
by the other men in Indian file, while next came the women 
carrying their infants, and panting under the burden of 
articles of barter carried in baskets, and the whole procession 
was closed by young girls and boys, the latter being armed 
with small war clubs, bows, and arrows. As soon as they 
arrived in the village the procession stopped. The chie 
approached us with outstretched hand, and shaking hand 
with us calling out the word Matti” (friend), when he 
directed his subordinates to do the same, which v/as done by 
the women and children with hesitation, fear, and trembling. 
This ceremony was certainly very tedious, and it w’^as with 
difficulty we kept from laughing vffien one of these almost 
naked kings approached us., being proud to get possession 
and to be clad in clothes of civilized men, which were of 
heterogene description. Yet we had to be firm and to refrain 
from showing any signs of the proceedings being ridiculous 
to us. 
A powerful Wapisiana chief vfas adorned with the shabby 
red uniform of a slender Lieutenant of the Colonial Militia, 
into v/hich he had with difficulty squeezed his naked body, 
dripping with perspiration ; the same uniform having 
