. Bulletin. Ethnology. 770 SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS [ Bull. 143 lished crops. The Cuheo eagerly adopt any crops that will grow in their soil. The periodic exhaustion of the soil by manioc produces a seminomadic tribal life. But mobility is limited not only by tribal boundaries but by the necessity of maintaining contact with the gardens nearing exhaustion. To avoid abrupt transitions, the Indians select a new site not too far from the old one and begin to plant it many months before moving. They continue to harvest the abandoned gardens until the entire new crop has reached maturity 8 mont
. Bulletin. Ethnology. 770 SOUTH AMERICAN INDIANS [ Bull. 143 lished crops. The Cuheo eagerly adopt any crops that will grow in their soil. The periodic exhaustion of the soil by manioc produces a seminomadic tribal life. But mobility is limited not only by tribal boundaries but by the necessity of maintaining contact with the gardens nearing exhaustion. To avoid abrupt transitions, the Indians select a new site not too far from the old one and begin to plant it many months before moving. They continue to harvest the abandoned gardens until the entire new crop has reached maturity 8 months to a year later. Abandoned fields are reputedly not replanted, although their owners may continue to harvest the fruit trees for a considerable time. Presumably according to its quality, the soil is exhausted in 3 to 5 years. Work habits in manioc processing.—The processing of manioc from garden to table normally occupies approximately 75 percent of a woman's working time and, when chicha is being prepared for a drinking festival, all of it. The process follows a very regular rhythm, compared with the more sporadic hunting and fishing pattern of men. Cuheo women adhere to an alternate work-day cycle. One-half day, starting from sunrise or from shortly after dawn, is spent in the manioc garden, harvesting, clearing, replanting; part of the afternoon is devoted to preparing part of the manioc. The following day is spent entirely at home, when the remaining tubers are processed. Wild food collecting.—Fullest use of wild foods is made by all tribes in the area. Women gather various kinds of edible ants, grubs, berries, and roots. Wild food gathering is not a regular activity; it is undertaken sporadically, either to make up deficiencies in the fish and game diet, or for variety. The known ripening of fruits and berries is almost invariably an occasion for a gathering expedition. Hunting.—With some minor exceptions, all tribes in the area hunt, usually selecting the short d
Size: 2318px × 1078px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectethnolo, bookyear1901
