Gilpin observer., 1912-02-29


i Republics that border the Carib-
bean, they declared it would be
tempting Providence to venture among the ruth
less savages who inhabit the forests and llanos
watered by the Ornoco and its atiuents. So
great however his desire to visit this little
known part ri the world that he determined, in
spite of the difficulties and dangers predicted, to
make at least the attempt to accomplish his long
cherished purpose.
He has always been glad that he paid no heed
to the horrible forebodings that were volunteered
by well-meaning but illadvised people. Had he
done so, he would have deprived himself OF one OF
the most delightful experiences OF his life. For.
outside of certain discomforts inseparably con-
nected with roughing it in the Wild the entire trip
Of agreeable surprises and unalloyed
pleasure. And, in lieu of bloodthirsty savages
seeking to transtix him with poisoned arrows. ne
found the Indians all along his route to be not
only harmless, but hospitable and obligtng. In
deed Of the most pleasant recollections he
has of his wanderings in the wids of Venezuela
and Colombia is the kindly treatment he invaria-
bly, received at the hands OF the children OF the
forest.
These observations says a writer in the Pan
American Bulletin, have been suggested by
work which has recently been published in Ber
lin the Indians inhabitng the region between
the Rio Negro and the Yapura. 1t is by DR.. Theo
dor Koch-Grunberg, a distinguished German trav-
eler and ethnologist, and Is entitled "Zwei Jahre
unter den Indianern' 1.-TWO Years Among the In
dians). 1t has appealed to us in special man
ner. not only on account OF the mine OF informa-
tion it contains regarding the manners and
toms of the various tribes of Indians which the
author visited during his two years peregrnations
in this comparatively unknown part OF the world;
not only account of its numerous and valuable
illustrations reproduced from photographs which
constitutes valuable an aid to the right under
standing OF the narrative. but also, and chleny be-
cause the doctors experiences among the red men
of the regions visited were almost identical with
our own In other parts of the continent
1t was In August 1908, that DR.. koch-Grunberg
reached the little town OF Sac Felipe on the Up
per Rio Negro Using this place as a base. he
proceeded without delay to explore its western ar
fuents. the lcana the Uapes. the Curicuriary. and
their chief tributaries, and to study the manners
customs and languages OF the divers Indian tribes
that live near their banks. After spending
nearly two years among these people, some OF
whom never saw white man before. he returned
to Manaos, the mouth OF the Rio Negro by
way of the Yapura and the Amazon.
He was well equipped for his work, which for
him was a labor of love. He had previously
accompanied Dr. Hermann Meyer during his ex-
ploration of the Xingu In southern Brazil and had
then learned to admire the many notable quail
ties of the unspoied denizens OF the jungle
Outside of young Brazilian OF German descent,
his sole companions during his long wanderings
among many tribes-some OF whom, he had been
warned, antropofagos (cannibals)-were In
dams whom he employed as porters and boatmen.
And these were in most instances what are known
as indios braves (wd Indans) who had little or
no contact with civilization. But so completely
did he from the first win the confidence and af-
fection OF these simple. kindly people, that they
at once treated him one OF their own and made
him feel at home wherever he went.
And so considerate and just he in all his
dealings with them that his reputation preceded
him from tribe to tribe. Everywhere he
known and welcomed the friend of the In.
dians" and any service they could perform for
him was freely given. He lived In their malokas
Communal homes), shared in their repasts and
festivities, took part In their dances and their
hunting expeditions, was a witness OF their strange
marriage and burial ceremonies. and romped with
their children, helped to entertain friends and
guests. He had every opportunity OF familiarizing
himself with the peculiar manners. customs, tradi.
tions and superstitions OF his hosts. for they
ever willing to impart to him all the Information
In their power and assist him in his photographic
researches in every way possible
Besides treating them with justice and kind
ness. he made 1t rule never to accept any serv-
Ace. however slight. without making some com.
,pensaton for IT, The remuneration offered might
be trihing. but the effect was magical. They were
a-men women and chiidren-at his beck and
call every hour of the day night.
OF the Indians OF Cururii (cuara) the author
declares that they did everything to make his
journ among them comfortable and pleasant. For
few glass beads and fshhooks they kept us lib
erally supplied with meat and drink. Fowl OF