The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

INHABITANTS OF AMAZONIA. 113
baptized, though still preserving some of their old usages and religious practices.
The dead are buried under the hammock of the nearest akin, and provided with
food for the six days' journey which it takes to reach cloudland.
Along the middle course of the Tapajoz dwell several Tupi tribes, such as the
Apiacus (Abiabas, or " Men "), the Mundurucus and the Mauhes. Although
usually of peaceful habits the Apiacas still occasionally indulge in their old cannibal
practices. Those tattooed with three horizontal bars on the cheek are privileged to
eat their prisoners of war, the children captured on their predatory expeditions
being spared till their twelfth year, when they are served up at their sacred feasts.
Eumour speaks of a mysterious people in their district, the Jacar^uaras, a race of
albinoes said to travel only at night, hence usually called Morcegoft, or " Bats."
Of all the Brazilian aborigines the most powerful are the Mundurucus, said by
Bates to number 20,000, and regarded by Couto de Magalhaes as typical children
of nature. Their settlements follow along the banks of the Tapajoz and in the
forest glades, and from them the whole country takes the name of Munducuriana.
Tall, stout, muscular, and of somewhat clear complexion, the various tribes and
classes are distinguished by their respective tattoo marks, which, although falling
into disuse, are still held in great respect. So elaborate were the designs that it
sometimes took ten years to complete the picture.
Loyalty to their pledged word, a proud and noble bearing are characteristics of
the Mundurucus, who are also skilled husbandmen and expert at featherwork and
various other arts. Formerly very warlike, they have developed a thorough
military organisation, preparing in peace for war, so that at the first sound
of the drum all fly to arms and muster in vast barracks, from which the women
are excluded. They always attack at dawn, their manoeuvres being directed by
the varied beat of the drum. In the fight no quarter is given, but after the vic-
tory every care is taken of the women and children, the latter being adopted to
repair the losses sustained in battle.
Eio Tapajoz and Xingu Tribes.
The Mauhes of the Lower Tapajoz, who have given their name to an extensive
system of creeks and channels on the south side of the Amazons, ajjpear to belong
to the same group as the Mundurucus, although long separated from them, and
speaking a totally different language. East and west of them are the fierce Arara
(Yuma) Caribs, who attack always by night, and who are regarded by the sur-
rounding populations rather as demons than men. Till lately the Mauhes wei-e
the only natives who prepared the guarana, a decoction obtained from the beans
of a species of Hana {pauUinia sorbilis), which is used throughout Brazil and even
in Bolivia against dysentery and ague. In local business transactions the paullinia
beans serve as currency.
East of the Tapajoz the Xingu basin appears from Karl von den Steineu's
researches (1884—87), to have been the point of dispersion for the various Carib
tribes, which under so many names have spread in successive waves of migration
north-west to the foot of the Andes, northwards to Guiana, Venezuela, and the
VOL. XIX. I