Additional studies of the arts, crafts, and customs of the Guiana Indians : with special reference to those of Southern British Guiana / by Walter E. Roth.

  • Roth, Walter E. (Walter Edmund), 1861-1933.
Date:
1929
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Additional studies of the arts, crafts, and customs of the Guiana Indians : with special reference to those of Southern British Guiana / by Walter E. Roth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    260 rungs and I have often pondered over the labor and skill entailed in the fixation and construction. Of other methods employed in climbing, there is the type of a single log with successive steps cut in it, often to be seen on the banks of various streams, or sometimes doing duty as a doorstep. For mount¬ ing from the ground floor to the upper story in Makusi, etc., houses I have noticed a pole with rungs tied more or less at their centers across it at regular in¬ tervals. A more ad¬ vanced development consists of two posts with notches into which the rungs are attached and employed for simi¬ lar purposes. (GOE, 11.) 790. At end of section add: On the other hand, a sturdy vine rope can be utilized for climbing the tree from which it is dependent. (HER, 40.) But trees may be climbed without any apparatus at all * * * now, most of the young Indians [Arawaks at Paramaribo] began a general attack by climb¬ ing the trees with great agility but not, as Eu¬ ropeans do, with the help of the knees. These Indians put the soles of their feet against the Figure 89.—Canoe making on the upper Essequibo. 793 A) (Sec. trees, and in this manner walked up, holding fast with the hands, which certainly must require a great deal more strength. (SAC, 122.) 793 A. Canoe making on the Kuyuwini, a branch of the upper Esse¬ quibo, has some interesting features about it. (Fig. 89.) After felling and trimming the log, the Wapishana flatten the top surface,