Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-09-11
STRANGE
RACE OF
PEOPLE


some traveller a strange race of abo-
rhymes who are losing the use of
their legs. Canoe people these river
folks are termed by the Indians and
Creoles because of the strange life
they lead. They seldom, IL ever,
step upon land except to treat with
some high dignitary of another tribe
who will not approach them in their
canoes.
Descended from the Macusi, the
aboriginal Indians of the Guianas,
and having intermarried with the
savage blacks Of the country, these
canoe people show a strange blend
ing of the lazy characteristics of the
blacks and the wisdom and crafti-
ness of the Indian.
They are the most skilled naviga-
tors In the world and they know
more stream lore than could be
learned in centuries by civilized man.
The favorite haunts of these ca
noe people are up the tributaries OF
the Demerara, one of the most fam
Gus rivers of British Guiana; the
traveller usually follows it's course
from Georgetown to Akyma, a dis
tance of a little more than 100
miles.
oil
ly north and south and is navigable
for about $50 miles, the remaining
so miles are broken by whirlpools
and cataracts and are but seldom
expored by white men. Here the
canoe peoule hold sway, following
their primitive customs, which have
seen little change In the passing OF
the centuries.
The river beyond Akyma is a dir.
ty yellow and is much inhabited by
sharks, alligators and several varie-
ties OF ugly-looking fish, upon which
the canoe people subslst and grow
sturdy and strong. To the European
palate these fish are anything but
tempting.
In the region OF the canoes the
Demerara Is dotted with innumer-
able small islands, upon which, at
one time. these people built their
huts, held their councils. planned
wars, performed their religious rites
and In short turned into villages in
which dwelt the several tribes OF
their people.
The island. however, could be
made to yield nothing but rank
growths; there was no game to be
found on them; indeed, they were
nothing but so much useless land
and the Macusi were obliged to take
to the river for their living. They
ilshed and they ate what they
caught; they speared the alllgators
and towed them TO Georgetown,
whore they secured a fair price for
the best specimens or else traded
them in for tobacco or firewater.
Little by little these people failed
TO return to their primitive huts up
ON the islands. They took up their
abode In the canoes on the bosom OF |
the river, which supplied them with |
food and other means OF obtaining |
the few luxuries which their simple |
natures craved.
The canoe people are a peace-lov-
ing race, not even warning among
themselvesl and whenever the white |
man has approached them they have
treated him fairly. carried him safe
ly over parts OF the river so danger
Gus that none but one born and rails
cd on the water could navigate them, |
and then they have bade him "a
happy marriage" and glided back to
the waters among their deserted |
islands. They refuse TO learn the
white mans ways or adopt the ciyi.
lied customs OF even the Indians and
negroes living not 100 miles apart
from them, and with whom they fire.
Quently come In contact when they
trade.
They are a race apart and the only
civilized custom they seem to have
adopted In monogamy Somewhere
they picked up the phrase: "A hap
py marriage." and they use Il as a
form OF greeting and OF Godspeed.
not among themselves, but to the
Indians and creoles with whom they
trade.
Thor wedding ceremony Is a
strange one. When the bride is
chosen, the suitor. approaches the
glrl In her canoe and pays his re-
spects. presenting her with a string
Of sharks teeth, II the dusky swain
nnds favor In her eyes she accepts
- A.N