WHERE WOMAN RULES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3132, 28 August 1922, Page 8

WHERE WOMAN RULES.

(liv F. A. Mitelu'll-Hcdgos, F.L.S. F.H.G.kS.)

1 have managed to get into the t-'iui-cnnaqtie country, and return with probably the most wonderful collection of gods", native dresses, necklaces of animals’ teeth, human teeth and human bones, chief sticks, weapons, etc., that has ever yet come from the hinterland of this part of the world. I find there is an immense amount of hitherto unsuspected data in this part of the world, described by Dr Harbour, director of the American Museum of Natural History, as one of the least known portions of the earth, and 1 iclt it necessary to devote a considerable time to it. For this end I have purchased the cruiser yacht Cara. She is a beautiful boat, fitted with electric light, ample sleeping accommodation, and will stand any seas. I expect ultimately to return in her. I have changed the map, the J’tesident of Panama, his Excellency Dr Helisario Points, expressing to me Ins thanks that I have named the gnat range of mountains I discovered the “Porras Bange.” Dr South, the American Minister, thanked me on behall of tlie American nation for naming one of the great peaks “Harding Peak,' after the President of the United States of America. The second great peak I have named “King George J . 1 have called one of the rivers, winch is not on the map at all. “Hio Honssel, and the second the “Hio Bumble,’ the latter the nickname of my little son. 1 left a month ago in the Cara, with Major G. U. Fitzwilliam and Mr H. H. Johnson. the American taxidermist. We encountered' mountainous seas in the channel between Ista la Grande and Ihe mainland, but arrived solely at El Porvenir, tbe seat of Government m the San Bias district. We first explored the Hio A’/.ucar. and between the A/,near and the Hio Diablo found Iho two unmapped rivers that 1 named. The Hio Bum hie presented a scene ol snrpossing bounty, great lengths ol it being completely canopied with every description of tropical loliagc. with large scarlet (lowers growing on vines, forming, in one place, a blazing arch of color from one hank lo the other. All the rivers teemed with alligators. Having explored the Hio Diablo, wo cruised along part of the coast hitherto nnvisited, and squeezing inside a reef, found am Indian village. We traversed flic Porras mountain range, and on the further side found a village ol mountain or Chnennaqne Indians:. The entire male population assembled in the chief's house, where a great powwow took place. The Indians were living under the most primitive conditions, their methods being reminiscent of a bygone civilisation, difficult to believe still surviving at the present day. Their weapons consist of hows and arrows, the arrow points being triplicated and barbed like fish hooks, made from the black palm, and on occasions steeped in an alkaline poison. In spite of those conditions, the clothing worn by the women is one blaze of color, reminiscent of Babylon auctiont Egypt, or the Aztecs. The dresses in many instances are woven and covered with tlie ancient picture-writings shown in both th(> Aztec and Egyptian civilisations.

The women are the masters, and dominate the men. On marriage the man moves lii-' entire belongings from the paternal hut to that of tin- wife.

The boys are naked up to the ages <[ twelve or thirteen, but the girl's are clothed from birth and loaded down with masses of barbaric necklaces, composed of the teeth of wild' animals, sweet wood, and animal bones.

All women wear the nose ring and tin' men gigantic earrings of gold. They exhibited at first tiro utmost terror. I l ’-very house has many wooden gods, and the village itself has gods enthroned at strategic points to drive away evil spirits. Child love and martial afl'cetion seem non-existent. Will the collection I have brought hack shed a new light on the mystery of legendary Atlantis? A new elianncl cl investigation has at any rate been opened.