Evening star., 1901-05-25

can keep up with them over their mountain
roads. With towering loads upon their
backs. usually travelling in bands from
dozen to fifty, trotting along in Indian file
with long staffs in their hands. they some
times journey to the coast, where they re-
ceive products of the tropics in exchange
for those of their own rugged heights. II
they speak Spanish at all it is barely
sufficient to carry on their trade, and
though they appear so iliberal within
their own community. they never hesitate
to penetrate some other in their pursuit
of business.
staff of Authority.
The head men carry a long slver-n cunt
ed staff as a badge of authority and the
shepherds, who form class by themselves,
carry short-handled whips with very long
lashes and wear woolen aprons made of
black and white check a mark of dis
tinction. The women use a strip of cloth
gayly colored with native dyes, chiefly in
digO. cdrmine and yellow, fastened like a
skirt at the waist. and loose fitting che
mise or girdled blouse of white cotton en-
brotdered with red covering the bust. No
hat or other head covering is ever worn
by them The NahuilaS are not usually
good looking. although their men have a
superior cast OF cOuntenance, fun of de-
termination and rugged and immovable
as the hasalt cliffs which tower abov, their
mountain homes.
OF the religion of this strange people lit
tie is known outside of their own commu-
HllE tnOuSA 1nG WllIt priests deny II, 1t is
claimed by those who pretend to know
that the Nahuilas still fear the god of
their ancestors and propitiate his anger at
times with the blood Of a newborn infant.
Between the rece SSeS of the SteepeSt of
their mountain precipiCes, where a torrent
leaps down one side from rock to rock
arises n solitary cone. naked and steep as a
colossus of granite. 1t is wild desolate
region, chill with solitude and mystery.
winding path entwineS the lofty cone as
cendlng to its level top. 1t is there upon
this pyramid that the sacrifice is said to be
ofered up to the ancient god of the Ma
huilas.
The high priest still preserves pontifical
robes for the ceremonies of certain occa-
sions. They are of spotless white cotton,
a loose flowing gown embroidered with red
around the neck, chest and sleeve OPEN
ings, and white sash girding it at the
waist A sort of white cloak is worn
thrown over the left shoulder and white,
helmet-shaped cap is worn on the head,
also embroidered in red.
Head Men Rule.
In all internal affairs the tribe is
governed by the head men and priests, who
hold even the Jurisdiction over life and
death. Trespasses of any kind are pun
ished by public whippings, a post being
erected in the plaza for the purpose. A
man and his wife unable to live in peace
and harmony are chained together and
paraded through the streets. No intoXi-
cants~ are allowed to be sold within the
community. although it is said the Nahu
las will get as drunk lords outside of
their own domain. But it is a peaceable
sort of drunkenness. in which they merely
sip their chicha till stupidity drunk, very
much like the Chinaman with his opium.
Nearly all of the tribe are tiliers of the
soil which they hold in common, only
small portion of the men forming a class
of shepherds who attend the focks wher-
suitable grazing be found. Sui
eide is said to be frequent among them,
grief, anger despair driving them to the
edge of their most frightful precipices, from
which they end their sorrows by boldly
jumping off. They are Cleanly in their
habits accustomed to take hot baths, their
houses being provided with little stone
bath houses adjoining. into which they
creep, shut the narrow entrance at the
bottom and with a bowl of water and hot
stones steam themselves like Turks.