In case of sickness the “machi” (doctor) is called. That functionary
passes his mouth over the entire body of the patient, pinching the
flesh with his lips to ascertain the location of the affliction. When
that portion is reached where the disease is supposed to be located,
an incision is made, from which the “machi” sucks the blood with his
mouth. Very few medicines are employed, the chief medicinal remedy used
being the leaf of the canelo (wild cinnamon) tree, which is considered
a cure for almost every ill.
The treatment of the body after death, previous to burial, is one of
the queer and barbarous customs prevalent among the Araucanians. The
body is hung up in a building, usually the house in which the person
dies, and a slow wood fire built under the corpse. This process of
smoking is kept up for several weeks. When the antiseptic principle of
the creosote has completely cured the flesh, the body is taken down,
and is considered ready for burial. A rope is then attached to the
corpse, and a yoke of oxen employed to drag the body to the place of
burial. This grewsome procession is preceded by a number of men armed
with lances, who march in advance in order to drive away any enemies
or evil spirits, that they may not be buried with the dead to disturb
their future.
CHILOTES AND CHONOS.
The Chilote Indians inhabit the Island of Chiloe, and a portion of the
coast country in the province of Llanquihue, in which territory they
constitute the working population. They are a light copper color, and
differ materially in physical appearance from the Araucanians. They
are short in stature, heavy-set, broad, square shoulders, thick necks,
large heads, hands and feet. They have no chiefs or tribal government,
being peculiarly unrestrained in their personal lives by traditional
laws or government. They are peaceful and industrious. Each person
pursues such occupation as he may find or desire, that will afford a
living, without regard to the wishes or requirements of others. The
chief occupation of this small tribe in recent years is the manufacture
of a rough grade of lumber and timbers from a species of red pine,
called alerce. This wood has a beautiful straight grain, and the boards
are made by riving, instead of sawing. This rough lumber is transported
long distances upon the heads of the Indians, to the coast and interior
towns, where the product is exchanged for articles of food and clothing.
The Chono Indians, inhabiting the archipelagoes of Guitecas and
Chonos, are few in numbers and live in a barbarous state. They live
in caves and small brush huts, and subsist entirely upon fish, which
they procure along the island coast. The Chonos are small in stature,
repulsive in appearance, and in intelligence, and their manner of
living ranks little above animals.
FUEGUINOS OR CANOE INDIANS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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