Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-18
Times-Dispatch
IruUelogues
Interesting Places Throughout
the World About Which You
Read Described in Word Pic
turcs-Picturesque Nooks and
Corners Explored = =

CARACAS. VENEZUELA, August II.
In Venezuela to-day as in both the
Americas when Columbus made his dis
dams. who arc the fear OF other men
and who constantly refuse TO make
friends with any other people. In the
land bordering the upper Orinoco
River live many of these tribes. the
fearless foe Of all strangers and the
most dangerous savagcs in all South
America. They resist with their lives
all attempts of the Venezuelans to take
the lands that have been the home of
the Indian for centuries. So far they
have been successful in their defense
and are in nearly as full possession of
the lands to-day as they were before
any efforts were made to dislodge or
conquer them.
Venezuelan and foreign companies
that havn valuable oil interests In this
section Of the Orinoco have not been
successful even in their attempts to
treat with these tribes. The Indians.
seeing the approaching strangers. flee
TO the thick woods, whence they sally
forth to make war with bow and arrow.
They are expert marksmen and have
taken considerable toll of life from
various expeditions that have been sent
into their country. Oil companies are
compelled to protect their drillers and
other workmen in this indian section
with armed guards. Many expeditions
carry from fifty to q hundred men
armed with rifles ~ protect the COM
panies and their employees from at
lacks of these s"vaEes.
In Northern Venezuela there are
thousands OF Indians whose ancestors
also were in South America when It
was discovered. but who long since
have been won to the ways Of civilized
man. 1t is estimated II at there are
now more Il an 900. 900 full blooded In
dams In this country. There also are
thousands Of mixed blood Indians.
Many OF these arc Independent. Early
in the history Of Venezuela the fore
fathers Of these present Indians adapt
ed themselves to customs and manners
of other people-those who had taken
their lands. So to-day these tribes are
an important part OF Venezuelan life.
CITY OF MAoUETIA
WAS FOUNDED IN 1870
Near Maquctia, which was founded
| by wandering Indians in 1870. many of
| these Spanish Indians are now living.
MaiQuetia is the last station out from
La Guaira on the La Guaira and Cara
! cas- Railway. Some Of the Indians in
| this part Of Venezuela gain their living
through a rare skill which they dis
! play in making artistic pottery that is
sold extensively throughout Venezuela
| for use in cooking and to provide re-
! ccptacles for flowers and plants. How
| a majority &c the Indians manage tc
sustain themselves, however. is a puz-
zle. for. though 1t is said they are en-
| gagged in making bricks, investigation
has proved that few OF them do this
| work. But since they wear few clothes
| and have fish as their chief food It is
easy to understand how they manage
| to get along with little money.
| Their houses, their modes Of living
| and their children form a very instruc.
tive study. Many visitors to Caraca:
make the trip to Maquetia to familiar.
lie themselves with the modes ant
ways Of these Indians The trip Is vel
worth all the discomfort that one I:
sure to feel through going to Maquetia
which, with La Guaira. is one of tn,
! hottest sections along the Atlantic
| coast
Many of the huts in which the In.
| dams live are first met with as the
motor car travels into Maquetia from
Caracas. They Immediately catch tn,
eye. The thatch roofs of some, the tilt
| roofs of others or the general sham.
| bling look OF any of the places are Ger
tain 20 be features which will be not &c
| from the road. Investigation will show
| that the roofs of some OF the huts have
either been blown away. burned ava,
! or torn off. For some reason or Other
these Indians care not whether they
have a full roof. but all huts and
houses are partly covered. Inside the
huts will be found no furniture at all