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Hands Around the World |
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Hands Around the World |
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Indian Cultures from Around the World
Area: Vale do Javari, Brazil (Map)
Population: 239 (2000)
Language Root: Pano
First Contact: 1976
Economy: Hunting and Fishing
Today: Isolated
Early explorers confused the Matis as belonging to the Mayoruna or Marubo. There is little chance that the Matis had avoided earlier contact. Their facial ornaments are a mystical homage to the Jaguar. The blow gun used by the Matis is accurate up to thirty meters. They can kill a hummingbird in flight that has a defense reaction of 1/20th of a second. Due to minimal contact, there is very little known about the Matis. Small masks are used in a ritual for children. This tradition was stopped for many years as the Matis felt their population dwindling. Recently they started to produce them again.
The Matis are masters of curare. Of the Amazon groups that use it, each have their own magical method for making this venom. Curare arrived in the Old World on the tongues of a thousand legends and tales. First known as "Wourali", it was brought to Queen Elizabeth by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584. It was Charles Waterton (1782-1865) who introduced curare to our medical world. Today the synthetic is used on a daily basis as an anesthesia around the world. It is one of the greatest contributions and gifts given by the Amazon Indians.
Additional Information
Click here to visit our Native American Indian
market for baskets, pottery, and other hand made crafts
Hands Around the World
111 E. Main, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
Phone: (423) 753-8177 Fax: (423) 913-2489
