DWARFS WHO GET DRUNK

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14127, 27 May 1920, Page 2

DWARFS WHO GET DRUNK

MONTHLY REVELS IN ETERNAL FOG. Explorations into a hitherto unknown fores region of Venezuela by a member of the University of Pennsylvania Dr. 800y —have revealed the existence of a dwarf tribe of Indians, details of whose life and customs are forwarded by a Kingston (Jamaica) correspondent of the “Central. News.' ’ The dwarfs live in an eternal tog, “far more impenetrable than those of London,” and get drunk, on principle, once a month, on beer of their own brewing. The ceremony at which the Indians set drunk was one of the most interesting and exciting episodes ot the explorer’s tour. Dr. Booy landed at Maraybo, on the north coast of Venezuela, and proceeded on horseback across the plains to La Horqueta. His path lay through a wilderness abounding with tigers, jaguars, wild cats, monkeys, and deer. Eventually the lonely settlement ot the Tucus was reached. The Tucucus are very shy, but native help as carriers was eniisted, and the journey continued into the land of the unknown Maeoas. The discovery of a large cave at the foot of a mountain just as they were about to enter Maeoa-land put fear into the heart of the Tucucus, who turned and left their master to proceed alone. . Carrying only a camera, an aneroid barometer, and a compass, the doctor tramped for two days over broken hill) country. He noticed the nights becoming severely cold as he approached nearer to the supposed land of the savage Indian. 0 the third morning the explorer ran into the thick rolling fog, which is the normal weather of the district. When the settlement was finally reached it was found that the huts were built over a large area, and a great expanse of country separated one hut from another. It is the pleasure of the Maeoas to live alone and undisturbed in the# private huts, and it was with great difficulty that Dr. Boov got the chief to adopt him as a friend. Once their friendship was obtained Dr. Booy found himself in a peculiar predicament, for ho was promptly_ requested to join them in a tight against another tube. As a temptation he was ffoered all the booty in bows and arrows. The chief was a ‘ ‘ tall ’ ’ man of just over sft, add as Dr Booy was well over 6ft, he at once commanded respect. A special hut was built foi him. _ _ Describing the Chica feast Dr. Booy said it was indulged in almost every month when the moon was full, The merry-making begins amid frantic blowinf of conch shells. It is in the code of honour of the Maeoas that the liquor be always finished, and the drinking continues all night. At dawn, some of the more hardened eonvivials may be seen cyawling to their huts with the last “dose” of their beer. Old scores are generally settled on this night, and husbands and wives can be seen bandying words almost to killing point. The dawn, however, brings peace, and normal life is resumed for another month.