_Grande_, _Quoauguho_, _Ocioro_, _Upameoma_, and _Voiroguo_, without
having any setled Abodes; they are a strong People, stern of
Countenance, and black Hair’d: In stead of Circumcising their Children,
they cut them, which is done after this manner: The Priests stand on a
row, Dancing and Singing, whilest one of them swings the Child round
about his Head before all the Multitude, and then runs away with it; at
last returning, sets it in his Lap, whilest another Priest cutting a
Hole in the Ears and Lips thereof, puts little Bones into the same, and
the Mother cries and howls after a terrible manner. At these Ceremonies,
which end with Dancing and Singing, their King is always present.
The Virgins are kept by their Parents till the Mothers perceive them to
have their Monethly Courses, which they immediately reveal to the
Priests, who acquaint the King therewith, before whom the Maid, being
Painted red, is brought; whom having smoak’d with Tobacco, he throws an
Arrow at a Garland, which she wears on her Head, and if he chances to
hit it, he gives her his Benediction, by licking certain parts of her
Body, from which she hopes to receive long Life.
[Illustration]
So soon as a Woman is gotten with Child by her Husband, she lies no more
with him, but he is permitted to enjoy his other Wives, whose number is
either more or less, according to every ones pleasure. The Women after
Delivery eat their After-birth.
Adultery is free for Men, but if Women be taken in the Act, they are
immediately put to Death.
After they have done Soweing and Planting, the King calls all his People
and Subjects together, and appears to them hung round with Garlands; and
all of them have their Bodies Painted and stuck full of divers colour’d
Feathers.
[Sidenote: Strange kind of Prognostication.]
The Priests when they go about to foretel future Events, either Sing or
Pipe, and at the same time hold up their Heads towards the Skie, and
stand gazing, as if they saw some strange Vision in the Air; on some of
their Backs hangs a Bundle of Ostriches Feathers; some throw Feathers in
the Air, to see which way the Wind blows. When the Waters overflowing
_Brasile_ did much harm, _Anno 1641._ the Priests being Consulted,
brought forth the King’s _Calabash_, in which lay their sacred Stones
call’d _Cohuterak_ and _Titscheyouh_, and began to Dance and Sing; next
six Priests were plac’d in a row, which were to Prognosticate: whereupon
the first taking up a Stone, said, _The_ Netherlanders _have given
Battel to those in_ St. Salvador, _but are now about an Agreement_: The
second held up a Blossom of _Indian_ Wheat, and foretold that there
would be plenty of that Grain: The third holding a white Pebble-stone,
promis’d store of Milk: The fourth grasp’d a Stone like Bread, telling
them that the Countrey should produce much Bread: The fifth holding up a
Bowe and Arrow hung full of Feathers, cry’d aloud, _This is a Gift of
the Angels, Birds shall flie thicker than these Feathers hang together_:
The sixth, having a lump of Wax, foretold that there would be plenty of
Honey made by the Bees that year.
They worship the Constellation _Ursa Minor_.
They observe a very strange way of Purging; for with a Stick they thrust
sharp Leaves down their Throats into their Stomach, which they turn so
long till they vomit Blood.
[Sidenote: Their manner of Wrestling.]
In the Summer they have a general Meeting for Wrestling, and other
Exercises, which lasts three days. The Wrestlers are strangely attir’d;
for they are all over their Bodies beset with divers sorts of Feathers,
and in stead of Boots or Buskins, wear the Barks of Trees about their
Legs; their Hair besmear’d with Honey, and ty’d in a Tuft, hangs down
behind; on their Crowns they wear a Plume of Feathers, about their Necks
a Band or Gorget of Feathers; at their Arms they tie the Wings of the
Birds _Kohitub_, and on their Backs a green Bough; their whole Bodies
Painted with divers Colours, and their Hair all Red: Thus accoutred,
they Engage one with another, and if there be an old Grudge between
them, then they Fight in earnest, and often kill one another: The Victor
with strange Actions upbraids the Vanquish’d with Cowardise, and ever
after enjoys his Wife and Children.
They eat the Serpent _Manuah_, being four Yards long, and on the Tail
having a Horn, which with a push it thrusts into Man or Beast, as it
lights, then winds it self about the Body, and sucks till it hath suck’d
the last drop of Blood.
Here are also Serpents which are so poysonous, that the least Wound
receiv’d by them is mortal, unless the part bitten be either immediately
cut out, or off.
The Priests cut the deceased Bodies into pieces, which are roasted by
old Women; the Bones are taken out, and at the next publick Feast are
stamp’d, mix’d with Water, and Drank: But the Bodies of Noblemen are to
be eaten by none but Persons of that Rank.
[Sidenote: Their manner of Crowning their Kings.]
They also Crown their Kings after a strange manner, _viz._ The Priests,
who are beset with Feathers, anoint him with sweet-smelling Oyl, or
Balsam, and put a Crown of divers colour’d Feathers on his Head, after
which they all fall a Singing and Dancing; but if any one happen to
speak a word of the deceased King, they all begin to howl and cry. The
Kings Authority consists more in Advising than Commanding.
[Sidenote: Their Opinions concerning the Soul.]
They believe that the Souls of those who die a natural Death are
immortal; but those that are kill’d by their Enemies, devour’d by
ravenous Beasts, or poyson’d, are totally extinguish’d both Soul and
Body for ever. They say likewise that Hell is Westward near a dark Pool,
where the Devil Examines every Soul how they liv’d on Earth, and what
Death they dy’d; the Good are Ferry’d over to a delightful Valley, where
there is plenty of Fish, Honey, and Flesh; but the Wicked are miserably
tormented.
The Natives live peaceably amongst themselves, their Law being for those
that have not, to ask, and for those that have, to give.
They never Travel in the Night for fear of Serpents and other ravenous
Beasts, neither do they go any whither till the Sun has dry’d up the
Dew.
[Sidenote: King _Janduy_ his subtile Plot.]
King _Janduy_ before-mention’d, being above a hundred years of age,
desir’d the Prince of _Juckers_ fair Daughter to Wife, but being deny’d,
contriv’d a subtil Plot, _viz._ he invited _Jucker_, with his Courtiers,
to a Wresting; whither he coming with his whole Train, was earnestly
minding the Sport, when a considerable number of _Janduy_’s Women
falling upon _Jucker_’s Men, destroy’d a great many of them, and got the
desir’d Maid for _Janduy_, who at that time had fourteen Wives and sixty
Children, but had formerly enjoy’d fifty Wives and Concubines.
[Sidenote: Their Arms.]
Not onely amongst the _Tapuyans_, but generally amongst the rest of the
_Brasilians_, their Arms are great Clubs call’d _Tacapes_; also sharp
Darts, and strong Bowes call’d _Orapares_, with Shields, which are made
of the Skin of a Beast call’d _Tapiroussous_.
[Illustration]
The Women wear long Chains of Snail-shells, which hang down over their
Shoulders; their Faces are Painted with divers colour’d Rings,
surrounded with Specks; their Necks and Arms they adorn with Necklaces
and Armlets of little Bones: They carry their Husbands Provisions in
time of War.
Their Army they order by blowing on the Horn _Inubia_; others play on
Mens Bones kill’d a little before: for going by Water they use Boats
made of the Barks of Trees, each whereof being able to carry fifty Men,
go exceeding swift: The strongest Men always march before, and as many
as they take, whether Men, Women, or Children, they are all kill’d and
roasted in their _Boucans_.
[Sidenote: Their manner of Fighting.]
Their Villages consist of Houses of eighty, ninety, or a hundred Paces
long; those that lie near the Enemy are fenc’d with Walls and
Pallisado’s against any Attempt. Their Field-Battels are very terrible;
for as soon as they get sight of one another, they howl like Wolves;
which Tone they raise as they approach nearer and nearer, and with their
Horns and Pipes make also a mighty sound; then shaking their former
Enemies Teeth (which they wear about their Necks) at one another, they
cry, _That they shall immediately fall into each others hands for Food_:
whereupon they throw their Darts at one another, which are adorn’d with
all sorts of Feathers, and if any one be wounded, he pulls out the Dart,
and bites the same like a mad Dog; next falling to their Clubs, they
knock one anothers Brains out: which manner of Fighting lasts commonly
some hours before the one or other Party leave the Field. All their
Prisoners they fatten, and eat them at a Merry-meeting; at which when
they have Danc’d seven hours together, three Men lead the Prisoner, ty’d
with a Rope made of the Bark of a Tree call’d _Juira_, through their
Village, whilest the Prisoner looking to and again, saith in a scornful
manner thus unto them, _You, do ye hear? I have eaten your Fathers_: and
to others, _I have roasted your Brother; your Nephew also tasted very
well; my Death will be sufficiently reveng’d_: Having carry’d him about
for some time, they put the Rope so strait about his Middle, that he can
neither stir one way nor other; then they give him Stones in his Hands,
and lay others at his Feet, saying, _Now take Revenge for your Death
before you die_: then he immediately throws at those who are nearest
him; and when Stones are wanting, he throws with Earth: at last comes
the Executioner, adorn’d with Feathers, with a black Club in his Hand,
and asks, _Have not you at several times eaten of our Relations?_ to
which the Prisoner undauntedly answers, _Pa che tan tan, ajouca,
atoupave_, that is, _Yes, I am he that have eaten several of your
People_, and laying his Hands upon his Head, cries out, _O how valiantly
did I behave my self therein!_ The Executioner replies, _And therefore
shall you be kill’d by me, and serve for Food for these Spectators_:
Then the Prisoner answers again, _What care I, since I know my Death
will be reveng’d_: which said, his Brains are dash’d out, and falling on
the Ground, he is carry’d away by his Wife (for the Conqueror commonly
betroths his Sister or Daughter to the Prisoner,) who seemingly bemoans
the Body, of which she hath the first Cut when it is Dress’d; then the
old Women put the Corps into scalding Water, in which they let it lie
till the Skin comes off; then the Owner of the Prisoner quartering the
Body, distributes it amongst the Guests; the pieces laid on their
Gridirons call’d _Boucans_, are turn’d by the old Women, who lick up the
Dripping, desiring the By-standers to bring more such Food, and with the
Blood anoint the Childrens Faces; the Meat being broyl’d every one takes
a piece, and eats it up to the Bones, which are kept as Trophies.
[Sidenote: _Brasilians_ molested by an evil Spirit.]
The _Brasilians_ do not onely thus plague one another, but they are
likewise tormented by an evil Spirit, which they call _Aygnan_ and
_Caagerrel_, if credit may be given to _John Leerius_ a _Burgundian_,
who relates, that he hath often seen them sweat out of fear; and
striking their Hands upon their Thighs, cry out, _Mair autourassap,
acequerey, Aygnan atoupave_, that is, _O my Fool, my Companion, I fear
the Devil above all Evils_.
[Sidenote: Diseases peculiar to _Brasile_.]
Amongst several Diseases to which _Brasile_ is subject, there is one
call’d _Pians_, as malignant as the _French POX_, proceeding from
libinousness, the whole Body being full of Carbuncles, each about the
bigness of a Man’s Thumb.
Strangers in _Brasile_ are also much troubled with a Giddiness,
occasion’d by the extream Cold in the Night; as also with sore Eyes,
which they get by going abroad before Sun-rising, or after Sun-setting.
The Palsie is also very common there, taking People so suddenly, that
falling down stiff on the Ground, they are often in danger of losing
their Breath.
Besides these there are several other Distempers that very much infest
_Brasile_, as the Bloody-flux, Dropsie, Rising of the Gall, Worms,
Meazles, and St. _Anthony_’s Fire.
[Sidenote: _Brasilians_ success in curing of several Distempers by their
knowledge in Herbs.]
The aged _Brasilians_ have for the most part great skill in Herbs, which
they gather in the Woods, and apply them to the Sick both inwardly and
outwardly; and chiefly they know how to expel Poyson. None can perswade
them against the Medicines which they have learn’d from their
Predecessors; nay, they will rather chuse to lose their Lives than use
any other: and indeed they do not always succeed amiss, but often
manifest that they understand the Vertue of Herbs better than our
_European_ Physicians. The Learned _Guilielmus Piso_ relates, That he
hath seen several times in the Army which _Grave Maurice_ sent against
the _Portuguese_ in _Brasile_, that the _Brasilians_ in a short time
cur’d those Wounds with fresh Gums and healing Herbs, which the
_Netherland_ Chirurgeons judging past Cure, presently advis’d the
cutting off either the Arm or Leg of the wounded Person. _Piso_ adds
moreover, That he himself us’d some of _Hippocrates_’s and _Galen_’s
Prescriptions in Wine, for the curing of Cancers and Swellings, which
the _Brasilians_ have made well onely with the Juice of Tobacco. They
also in a moment recover’d a Person given over by all _European_
Physicians, with the Juice of the Root call’d _Jaborandi_: Wherefore he
always desir’d their Company when he went to visit sick or wounded Men.
[Sidenote: Their manner of curing the Sick, and bewailing the Dead.]
The Distempers in _America_ differ much from the _European_, not onely
in the Signs of any Distemper, but also in the Cure; for when a
Distemper cannot be cur’d by the prescribed Medicines, a Father or
Mother sends for the Neighbors, to know if they can find any means to
cure the Disease: Which Custom was anciently observ’d amongst the
_Greeks_. They also strictly observe a Rule in their Diet, and take care
to keep the Patient out of the Sun in the Day, and cold Winds in the
Night: However, if their Fathers and Mothers be sick, nevertheless they
leave not off their usual Dancing and Singing; but if the sick Person
die, especially a Father, they lament and cry over the Corps like
Wolves, calling to one another with a quavering Voice, and uttering
these Expressions, _The strong Man is deceas’d, who carry’d so many
Prisoners for a brave Dinner to his House. Oh what a quick Hunter and
subtil Fisher hath Death bereav’d us of! we shall see him no more till
our Souls are carry’d beyond the high Mountains, where our valiant
Predecessors Dance in Rings._ The Women make the greatest noise, and in
the midst of their howling embrace one another, which lasts six hours,
and then they put the Body upright into a Grave made like a Hogshead,
hanging about it divers colour’d Feathers, and other things in which the
Deceased delighted most when living; upon the Grave the nearest
Relations place Dishes of Meat, both Flesh and Fish, and the Liquor
_Cauou-in_, that their evil Spirit call’d _Aygnan_, may be reconcil’d by
these Offerings, and not carry away the Body; but when they remove from
thence they cover the Grave with the Herb _Pindo_. This Custom is not
observ’d by all _Brasilians_, for some eat up their deceased Relations.
SECT. XIII.
Grave Maurice _his Account of_ Brasile, _so far as it concern’d the_
West-India _Company_.
_Brasile_, so far as it concerns the _West-India_ Company, extends from
the River _Real_, which divides _Seregippa_ and the Lordship of St.
_Salvador_, to _Maragnan_: _Seregippa_ it self reaches along the
Sea-Coast thirty two Leagues, and was first brought under the King of
_Spain_’s Jurisdiction by _Christovan de Barros Cardoso_, who being
order’d by the King of _Spain_ to Plant this new Countrey, invited many
People from St. _Salvador_, who built four Sugar-Mills, and a Town
consisting of a hundred Houses, and four hundred Sheds for Cattel; but
the Town being destroy’d, hath nothing left but Heaps of Rubbish; and
the Cattel either fell into the _Netherlanders_ hands, or were devour’d
by Tygers; the Inhabitants fled back to St. _Salvador_: Many troubles
have prevented the re-building of it.
[Sidenote: The fertility of _Pernambuco_.]
_Pernambuco_ may for its fruitfulness stand in competition with any
Place in the World, except in those parts where the Soil is sandy and
stonie. The Fields feed abundance of excellent Cattel; the Woods, Deer
and Fowl; the Ocean and Rivers, all manner of good Fish. It is inhabited
but eight Leagues into the Countrey, because the nearer the Sea, the
more convenient it is for Importing and Exporting of Goods; neither
could the _Portuguese_, by reason of their small number, spread
themselves farther, as also in regard they found great resistance from
the _Brasilians_. The _Negro_’s that work in the Sugar-Mills between the
River _Grande_ and _Francisco_, amount to four thousand. The Cape
_Verde_, _Mina_, _Angola_, _Ardra_, and _Calabaria_, generally provide
three thousand in a year, to supply the number of the Sick, or those
that run away.
SECT. XIV.
_The Councellor_ Dussen’_s Relation of so much of_ Brasile _as concerns
the_ West-India _Company_.
That part of _Brasile_ which the _West-India_ Company have subdu’d by
force of Arms on the Continent of _America_, is divided into six
Counties, _viz._ _Seregippa_, _Pernambuco_, _Itamarica_, _Parayba_, _Rio
Grande_, and _Siara_.
The Expedition undertaken by _Gysseling_ and _Schuppe_ made _Seregippa_
desolate, the Inhabitants whereof remov’d to the Coast _Todos los
Sanctos_.
Also _Siara_, which the _Portuguese_ formerly possess’d, was thinly
inhabited, and had a mean Fortress there, whither some few _Brasilians_
came now and then to the _Netherlanders_ assistance.
_Pernambuco_, lying between the Rivers _Francisco_ and _Tamarica_,
excells the other Countrey in fruitfulness and pleasantness. The
_Brasilians_ compare it to a hollow Rock, under which fresh Water flows.
[Sidenote: Havens of _Pernambuco_.]
Moreover, _Pernambuco_ hath several Havens, _viz._ the outermost Road
before _Reciffa_, which being in the open Sea, is somewhat dangerous,
but the innermost is secure against all Storms; also at the Promontory
St. _Augustine_, where the Mouth of the Haven is narrow and dangerous,
by reason of the Rocks and shallow Grounds; the Island _Alexio_ is very
fit to Crain Ships in; _Barra Grande_ hath a large and safe Inlet,
convenient for all manner of Vessels, yet it is inferior to _Cororipa_;
lastly, the Havens _Jaragoa_ and _Franco_ are very eminent.
[Sidenote: Rivers.]
Amongst the Rivers, the chief are _Jangades_, _Serinhain_, _Formosa_,
_Porto Calvo_, _Camarigibi_, _Antonio_, _Michael_, and _Francisco_.
_Pernambuco_ also is divided into six Jurisdictions; the first and most
ancient is _Igarazu_; the second and biggest, _Olinda_; the third,
_Serinhain_; the fourth, _Porto Calvo_; the fifth, the _Alagoas_; and
the sixth, _Rio Francisco_, which is the Boundary of _Pernambuco_ on the
South.
[Sidenote: Towns of _Pernambuco_.]
_Pernambuco_ also boasts five Towns, _viz._ _Garasu_, _Olinda_,
_Maurice-stadt_, to which also belongs _Reciffa_, _Bella Pojuca_, and
_Formosa_. The Villages _Moribeca_, _St. Laurence_, _Antonio_, _Amaro_,
and others are also not inferior to little Towns.
The Countrey is for the most part Hilly, but is exceeding fruitful in
the Valleys, and near the Rivers, especially in Sugar-Canes.
Here are also a hundred and twenty Sugar-Mills, of which a great number
stand still for want of _Negro_’s.
Next _Pernambuco_ lies _Tamarica_, which hath onely one Haven, one City,
and twenty three Sugar-Mills, of which thirty are onely employ’d. This
Island produces excellent Grapes and Melons, yet is for the most part
barren, by reason of the Pismires.
The Countrey _Parayba_ hath its Denomination from the River which
washeth it, being deep, and without any Rocks or Sands; on the Banks
thereof stand twenty Sugar-Mills, two of which are still standing.
In the Lordship of _Rio Grande_ stands the Town _Puntael_, whose
Buildings were ruin’d in the Wars; after which the Inhabitants had leave
to build them another City on a fruitful Soil.
The Countrey hereabouts us’d formerly to be very full of Cattel, but was
not onely bereav’d thereof by the _Hollanders_ and _Portuguese_, but
also for the most part made desolate.
The River which washes the Castle Ceulen, affords a convenient and safe
Harbor for all sorts of Vessels.
This Lordship of _Rio Grande_ boasts onely two Sugar-Mills, of which one
is decay’d; so that in all those Parts in _Brasile_ which belong to the
_West-India_ Company, are a hundred and sixty Sugar-Mills constantly
employ’d, besides forty six which are about repairing. It is scarce to
be reckon’d how much Sugar they make yearly, in regard, through the
alterations of the annual Seasons, as also the more or less fruitful
Fields, they produce one year, and in one place, more than in another.