Differing greatly from the Caribs, the Arawaks, who live in the
neighbourhood of the British settlements, have ever been noted for their
mild and peaceable disposition. But still they have been compelled to
fight for their independence, and use bows and arrows and clubs--the
latter formidable weapon being similar to that of the Caribs. More
family affection than other tribes usually exhibit exists among them.
Husbands and wives appear faithful and attached, and live happily
together. The boys are early trained to fish and paddle their canoes;
while the girls assist their mothers, who generally have to do more work
than the men. The power of their chiefs, who were formerly called
caciques, has almost entirely ceased; indeed, their ancient manners and
customs have been greatly changed by their intercourse with the whites.
Those living still further in the country, however, practise many of
their barbarous customs.
Mr Brett describes a scene he witnessed on the Lake Wakapoa--a dance
given in honour of a deceased female, who had been buried in the house
where it took place. A broad plank lay on her grave, and on it were
placed two bundles, containing the refuse of the silk-grass, of which
whips--employed as will be described--were made. There were also two
rudely-carved birds in wood, the other figures intended to represent
infants. Two large tubs of paiwari--an intoxicating liquor--had also
been prepared.
The young men and boys, fantastically adorned, were arranged in two
parallel rows facing each other; each holding in his right hand a whip,
called the maquarri, more than three feet long, and capable of giving a
severe cut--as their bleeding legs soon amply testified. The dance in
which they were engaged takes its name from this whip. They waved them
in their hands as they danced, uttering alternate cries, resembling the
note of a bird often heard in the forests.
At some little distance from the dancers were couples of men lashing
each other on the leg. The man whose turn it was to receive the lash
stood firmly on one leg, advancing the other; while his adversary,
stooping, took deliberate aim, and, springing from the earth to add
vigour to his stroke, gave his opponent a severe cut. The latter gave
no other sign that he was hurt than a contemptuous smile, though blood
must have been drawn by the lash. After a short dance, his opponent
returned the compliment with equal force. Nothing could exceed the
good-humour with which these proceedings were carried on. One of the
men was scarcely able to walk, after the punishment; but, in general,
after a few lashes they drank paiwari, and returned to the main body of
dancers, from which fresh couples were continually falling out to test
each other's mettle.
At length, on a signal from the master of the house, the dancing ceased,
and all the men, arranging themselves in procession, went round the
building with slow and measured steps, the plank and the wooden images
being carried before them.
After this they arranged themselves near the grave, and one of them
chanted something in a low voice, to which the others answered at
intervals with four moans by way of chorus. The articles carried in
procession were then taken to a hole previously dug in the earth, and
buried there. Two or three men appointed for the purpose then drew
forth their long knives, and rushing in among the dancers, snatched the
whips from them, cut off the lash from each, and buried them with the
other articles.