Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-04
THE ARAUCANIAys
Remarkable Race of south An.
BaTbn risBa.

N""' ""u Hebb HOm tHe tOfdIlleras 10
the Pacific. Within these limits there
are several tribes, whose numbers are
variously estimated at from 1000 TO
10000, the true figures being some
where between these two estimates.
The inhabitants are divided into four
principal divisions, each headed by it's
own prince. These, though independent
OF each other, form Bund or confeder-
alton for mutual defense against a for.
eign enemy. Each OF these four great
divisions is divided into five smaller
ones, and these are again sub-diyided
into nine districts or septs.
The numbers five and nine have a
mystical character among the Araucani
ans. Leaders of all the subdivisions
pass on their Offices as hereditary To
their sons in the order of primogeni-
ture; and the whole body of the chief
or caciques form the nobility. The
cacI4ues compose the great council Of
the nation, which meets annually nnder
great tree for the transaction Of uub.
iic business. As matter Of fact no
decision come 10 at one OF these diets
is accepted by the people in general IN
less the latter admit its propriety; for
the clhnsnen, being free and armed.
Vigorously impose limits On the e1er.
else Of authority.
Polygamy is the rule, at least among
the caciqucs, two aud three wives being
common IN chiefs household. The
Araucanian Pantheon contains three IL
not four diyinities a Supreme Creator
n god OF good, god of evil, and perhaps
a god Of war. Religious rites and cerc.
monies there are few. Exorcisms by
the machis, or wise women, and the
sacrifice Of some animal under the shade
OF the drymis, or white cinnamon tree.
are among the few that the Arancanians
are known to practice.
They all believe in future state. and
at the death Of a cacique sacrifice n
horse to keep him company; while the
coast tribe bury him in his canoe Mar.
rage by capture exists among them in a
ceremony Of very remarkable kind.
The bridegroom approaches the brides
honAe on horseback and carries hcr Of
with him, in spite fthe apparent oppo-
s'tlon OF her family, on his steed. Tho
custom must have been IN existence
long before the Araucanians could have
possessed or ever have seen horses
which were unknown 10 their ncighbor-
hood little more than three centuries
ago.
II has, however. survived the intro.
ductiou Of these animals and tie re-
markable changes Of their wav OF life
which must have been caused bv II.
They are not nomal, but intelligent and
industrious agriculturis,s. who. how
ever, occasionally shut their abodcs in
search Of more fertile soil or for other
reasons. They live in well built houses,
the interiors Of which are clcanlv and
neat-< The almost unanimous testimony
OF tr1Slors credits them with many
virtuN They are said to be hardy.
hospitsble, faithful to their engage.
ments, generous 20 fallen enemy, ar
dent, intrepid and enthusiastic lovers Of
liberty
Physically they are a vell.made and
good looking people. They manufac-
tnre their own clothing. which is be.
coming and even picturesque. They
seem to combine much of the civiliza.
tion of the ancient Mexicans and Peru.
vlans with a freedom from barharish
and love of liberty to which those
races were strangers. They have man
fully maintained their independence for
300 years; and though their dreaded
neighbor (Chili) has had her hands
quite full during the last two years
they have never taken advantage of her
being engaged in war to trouble her.
Mr.. Boyd attributes the few raids on
farmhouses that have been made of late
to the instigation of Chilian despera.
does or runaway convicts. The one
fault of this interesting people appears
to be an inordinate fondness for the
fire-water" OF their more civilized
neighbors. BY means of this their lands
are easily got from them, and under its
influence they sink to the level of the
most irrcclaimabIe savages. Away from
ii they retain all their virtues, not the
least among which are those domestic
ones in which they show an excellent
example to their Christian acquaint.
ances in the republic.
The natural resources of their coun.
try are so great that they are not likely
to be allowed to retain il very long !: