The uncivilized races of men in all countries of the world; vol. 1 of 2 Being a comprehensive account of their manners and customs, and of their physical, social, mental, moral and religious characteristics

Many travellers have given accounts, scattered rather at random through their books, of the habits and modes of life exhibited by the various people among whom they have travelled. These notices, however, are distributed through a vast number of books, many of them very scarce, many very expensive, and most of them ill-arranged; and it has therefore been my task to gather together in one work, and to present to the reader in a tolerably systematic and intelligible form, the varieties of character which develop themselves among races which have not as yet lost their individuality by modern civilization. In this task I have been greatly assisted by many travellers, who have taken a kindly interest in the work, and have given me the invaluable help of their practical experience.

The engravings with which the work is profusely illustrated have been derived from many sources. For the most part the countenances of the people have been drawn from photographs, and in many instances whole groups taken by the photographer have been transferred to the wood-block, the artist only making a few changes of attitude, so as to avoid the unpleasant stiffness which characterizes photographic groups. Many of the illustrations are taken from sketches made by travellers, who have kindly allowed me to make use of them; and I must here express my thanks to Mr. T. Baines, the accomplished artist and traveller, who made many sketches expressly for the work, and placed at my disposal the whole of his diaries and portfolios. I must also express my thanks to Mr. J. B. Zwecker, who undertook the onerous task of interpreting pictorially the various scenes of savage life which are described in the work, and who brought to that task a hearty good-will and a wide knowledge of the subject, without which the work would have lost much of its spirit. The drawings of the weapons, implements, and utensils, are all taken from actual specimens, most of which are in my own collection, made, through a series of several years, for the express purpose of illustrating this work.

That all uncivilized tribes should be mentioned, is necessarily impossible, and I have been reluctantly forced to dismiss with a brief notice, many interesting people, to whom I would gladly have given a greater amount of space. Especially has this been the case with Africa, in consequence of the extraordinary variety of the native customs which prevail in that wonderful land. We have, for example, on one side of a river, a people well clothed, well fed, well governed, and retaining but few of the old savage customs. On the other side, we find people without clothes, government, manners, or morality, and sunk as deeply as man can be in all the squalid miseries of savage life. Besides, the chief characteristic of uncivilized Africa is the continual change to which it is subject. Some tribes are warlike and restless, always working their way seaward from the interior, carrying their own customs with them, forming settlements on their way, and invariably adding to their own habits and superstitions those of the tribes among whom they have settled. In process of time they become careless of the military arts by which they gained possession of the country, and are in their turn ousted by others, who bring fresh habits and modes of life with them. It will be seen, therefore, how full of incident is life in Africa, the great stronghold of barbarism, and how necessary it is to devote to that one continent a considerable portion of the work.

AMERICAN PUBLISHERS’ PREFACE.

This work, which has been nearly three years going through the press in London, is one of the most valuable contributions that have been made to the literature of this generation. Rev. Dr. Wood, who ranks among the most popular and foremost writers of Great Britain, conceiving the idea of the work many years since, and commencing the collection of such articles, utensils, weapons, portraits, etc., as would illustrate the life and customs of the uncivilized races, was, undoubtedly, the best qualified of all living writers for such an undertaking. The work is so costly by reason of its hundreds of superior engravings, that few only will, or can avail themselves of the imported edition. Yet it is so replete with healthful information, so fascinating by its variety of incident, portraiture and manners, so worthy of a place in every household library, that we have reprinted it in order that it may be accessible to the multitude of readers in this country.

With the exception of a few paragraphs, not deemed essential by the American editor, and not making, in the aggregate, over four pages, the text of the two royal octavo volumes of nearly sixteen hundred pages, is given UNABRIDGED. The errors, incident to a first edition, have been corrected. By adopting a slightly smaller, yet very handsome and legible type, the two volumes are included in one. The beauty and value of the work are also greatly enhanced by grouping the engravings and uniting them, by cross references, with the letter-press they illustrate.

In one other and very essential respect is this superior to the English edition. Dr. Wood has given too brief and imperfect an account of the character, customs and life of the North American Indians, and the savage tribes of the Arctic regions. As the work was issued in monthly parts of a stipulated number, he may have found his space limited, and accordingly omitted a chapter respecting the Indians, that he had promised upon a preceding page. This deficiency has been supplied by the American editor, making the account of the Red Men more comprehensive, and adding some fine engravings to illustrate their appearance and social life. Having treated of the Ahts of Vancouver’s Island, the author crosses Behring Strait and altogether omits the interesting races of Siberia, passing at once from America to Southern Asia. To supply this chasm and make the work a complete “Tour round the World,” a thorough survey of the races “in all countries” which represent savage life, we have added an account of the Malemutes, Ingeletes and Co-Yukons of Alaska. An interesting chapter respecting the Tungusi, Jakuts, Ostiaks, and Samoiedes of Siberia, compiled from Dr. Hartwig’s “Polar World,” is also given. The usefulness and value of such a work as this are greatly enhanced by a minute and comprehensive index. In this respect, the English edition is very deficient,--its index occupying only a page. We have appended to the work one more than ten times as large, furnishing to the reader and student an invaluable help. Thus enlarged by letter-press and illustrations, this work is a complete and invaluable resumé of the manners, customs, and life of the UNCIVILIZED RACES OF THE WORLD.

EXPLANATION OF THE FRONTISPIECE.

The Frontispiece gives a pictorial representation of African mankind. Superstition reigning supreme, the most prominent figure is the fetish priest, with his idols at his feet, and holding up for adoration the sacred serpent. War is illustrated by the Kaffir chief in the foreground, the Bosjesman with his bow and poisoned arrows, and the Abyssinian chief behind him. The gluttony of the Negro race is exemplified by the sensual faces of the squatting men with their jars of porridge and fruit. The grace and beauty of the young female is shown by the Nubian girl and Shooa woman behind the Kaffir; while the hideousness of the old women is exemplified by the Negro woman above with her fetish. Slavery is illustrated by the slave caravan in the middle distance, and the pyramids speak of the interest attached to Africa by hundreds of centuries.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE. 1. Pictorial representation of African races Frontispiece. 2. Kaffir from childhood to age 13 3. Old councillor and wives 13 4. Kaffir cradle 18 5. Young Kaffir armed 21 6. Kaffir postman 21 7. Unmarried Kaffir girls 25 8. Old Kaffir women 25 9. Kaffir ornaments--necklaces, belt, etc. 33 10. Kaffir needles and sheaths 33 11. Articles of costume 33 12. Dolls representing the Kaffir dress 33 13. Bracelets made of the hoof of the bluebok 39 14. Apron of chief’s wife 39 15. Ivory armlets 39 16. Necklaces--beads and teeth 39 17. Young Kaffir in full dress 43 18. Girl in dancing dress 43 19. Kaffir ornaments 49 20. Dress and ornaments 49 21. The Kaffirs at home 57 22. Interior of a Kaffir hut 63 23. A Kaffir kraal 63 24. A Kaffir milking bowl 67 25. A Kaffir beer bowl 67 26. A Kaffir beer strainer 67 27. A Kaffir water pipe 67 28. Woman’s basket 67 29. Kaffir cattle--training the horns 73 30. Return of a Kaffir war party 73 31. Procession of the bride 83 32. Kaffir passing his mother-in-law 88 33. Bridegroom on approval 97 34. Kaffir at his forge 97 35. Spoons for eating porridge 103 36. Group of assagais 103 37. Kaffir warriors skirmishing 111 38. Muscular advocacy 111 39. Goza, the Kaffir chief, in ordinary undress 117 40. Goza in full war dress, with his councillors 117 41. Panda’s review 121 42. Hunting scene in Kaffirland 121 43. Cooking elephant’s foot 133 44. A Kaffir dinner party 145 45. Soldiers lapping water 145 46. A Kaffir harp 155 47. Exterior of a Kaffir hut 155 48. Spoon, ladle, skimmers 155 49. A Kaffir water pipe 155 50. A Kaffir fowl house 155 51. Necklace made of human finger bones 167 52. A remarkable gourd snuff-box 167 53. Poor man’s pipe 167 54. Kaffir gentlemen smoking 167 55. The prophet’s school 174 56. The prophet’s return 174 57. Old Kaffir prophets 177 58. The Kaffir prophetess at work 188 59. Unfavorable prophecy 188 60. Preserved head 203 61. Head of Mundurucú chief 203 62. Burial of King Tchaka’s mother 203 63. Dingan, the Kaffir monarch, at home 209 64. Kaffir women quarrelling 209 65. Hottentot girl 219 66. Hottentot woman 219 67. Hottentot young man 223 68. Hottentot in full dress 223 69. Hottentot kraal 229 70. Card playing by Hottentots 237 71. Bosjesman shooting cattle 237 72. Grapple plant 247 73. Bosjesman woman and child 247 74. Hottentots asleep 247 75. Bosjesman quiver 247 76. Frontlet of Hottentot girl 247 77. Poison grub 259 78. Portrait of Koranna chief 271 79. Namaquas shooting at the storm 271 80. Knife and assagai heads 281 81. Bechuana knives 281 82. A Bechuana apron 281 83. Ornament made of monkeys’ teeth 281 84. Bechuana parliament 287 85. Female architects among the Bechuanas 287 86. Magic dice of the Bechuanas 292 87. Spartan practices among the Bechuanas 294 88. The girl’s ordeal among the Bechuanas 294 89. Plan of Bechuana house 299 90. Bechuana funeral 302 91. Grave and monument of Damara chief 302 92. Damara warrior and wife 308 93. Damara girl resting 308 94. Portrait of Ovambo girl 317 95. Ovambo women pounding corn 317 96. Ovambo houses 329 97. Makololo house building 329 98. Children’s games among the Makololo 333 99. M’Bopo, a Makololo chief, at home 333 100. Spearing the hippopotamus 343 101. The final attack 343 102. Boating scene on the Bo-tlet-le River 351 103. Batoka salutation 351 104. Batoka men 357 105. Pelele, or lip ring, of the Manganjas 357 106. Hippopotamus trap 363 107. Axes of the Banyai 363 108. The marimba, or African piano 371 109. Singular headdress of the Balonda women 371 110. Wagogo greediness 387 111. Architecture of the Weezee 387 112. A husband’s welcome among the Weezee 391 113. Sultan Ukulima drinking pombé 391 114. Harvest scene among the Wanyamuezi 397 115. Salutation by the Watusi 397 116. Rumanika’s private band 404 117. Arrest of the queen 412 118. Reception of a visitor by the Waganda 417 119. The magician of Unyoro at work 417 120. Wanyoro culprit in the shoe 423 121. Group of Gani and Madi 431 122. Removal of a village by Madi 431 123. Group of the Kytch tribe 437 124. Neam-Nam fighting 437 125. Wooden chiefs of the Dôr 449 126. Scalp-locks of the Djibbas 449 127. Bracelets of the Djibbas 449 128. Ornaments of the Djour 449 129. Women’s knives 449 130. A Nuehr helmet 449 131. The Latooka victory 457 132. Gorilla hunting by the Fans 457 133. A Bari homestead 465 134. Funeral dance of the Latookas 465 135. The ceremony of M’paza 478 136. Obongo market 478 137. The giant dance of the Aponos 486 138. Fishing scene among the Bakalai 486 139. Ashira farewell 499 140. Olenda’s salutation to an Ishogo chief 499 141. A Camma dance 508 142. Quengueza’s (chief of the Camma) walk 508 143. The Camma fetish man ejecting a demon 517 144. Olanga drinking mboundou 517 145. Fate of the Shekiani wizard 526 146. The Mpongwé coronation 526 147. Attack on a Mpongwé village 537 148. Bargaining for a wife by the Fanti 537 149. The primeval child in Dahome 552 150. Fetishes, male and female, of the Krumen 552 151. Dahoman ivory trumpets 558 152. Dahoman war drum 558 153. War knives of the Fanti 558 154. Fetish trumpet and drum 558 155. Ashanti caboceer and soldiers 564 156. Punishment of a snake killer 564 157. “The bell comes” 569 158. Dahoman amazons 569 159. Amazon review 576 160. The Dahoman king’s dance 576 161. The basket sacrifice in Dahome 583 162. Head worship in Dahome 595 163. The attack on Abeokuta 595 164. The Alaké’s (king of the Egbas) court 605 165. Mumbo Jumbo 605 166. A Bubé marriage 612 167. Kanemboo man and woman 612 168. Washing day in Abyssinia 617 169. A Congo coronation 617 170. Ju-ju execution 619 171. Shooa women 631 172. Tuaricks and Tibboos 631 173. Begharmi lancers 638 174. Musgu chief 638 175. Dinner party in Abyssinia 643 176. Abyssinian heads 643 177. King Theodore and the lions 652 178. Pleaders in the courts 652 179. A battle between Abyssinians and Gallas 662 180. Interior of an Abyssinian house 662 181. Buffalo dance in Abyssinia 670 182. Bedouin camp 670 183. Hunting the hippopotamus 679 184. Travellers and the mirage 679 185. Travelling in Madagascar 692 186. Australian man and woman 698 187. Women and old man of Lower Murray 698 188. Hunter and his day’s provision 707 189. The sea-grass cloak 707 190. Bee hunting 716 191. Australian cooking a snake 716 192. Australian tomahawks 722 193. Australian clubs 722 194. Australian saw 722 195. Tattooing chisels 722 196. Man of Torres Strait 722 197. Basket--South Australia 722 198. Heads of Australian spears 731 199. Throw-sticks of the Australians 731 200. Boomerangs of the Australians 731 201. Spearing the kangaroo 739 202. Catching the cormorant 739 203. Australian shields 742 204. The kuri dance 749 205. Palti dance, or corrobboree 749 206. An Australian feast 759 207. Australian mothers 759 208. Mintalta, a Nauo man 765 209. Young man and boy of South Australia 765 210. Hut for cure of disease 765 211. Tomb of skulls 765 212. Tree tomb of Australia 775 213. Smoking bodies of slain warriors 775 214. Carved feather box 775 215. Australian widows and their caps 781 216. Cave with native drawings 781 217. Winter huts in Australia 787 218. A summer encampment 787 219. New Zealander from childhood to age 794 220. Woman and boy of New Zealand 803 221. A tattooed chief and his wife 803 222. Maori women making mats 809 223. The Tangi 809 224. Parátene Maioha in his state war cloak 820 225. The chiefs daughter 820 226. Hongi-hongi, chief of Waipa 820 227. Maories preparing for a feast 831 228. Maori chiefs’ storehouses 831 229. Cannibal cookhouse 835 230. Maori pah 835 231. Green jade ornaments 841 232. Maori weapons 841 233. Wooden and bone merais 841 234. Maori war dance 847 235. Te Ohu, a native priest 860 236. A tiki at Raroera pah 860 237. Tiki from Whakapokoko 860 238. Mourning over a dead chief 872 239. Tomb of E’ Toki 872 240. Rangihaeta’s war house 877 241. Interior of a pah or village 877 242. Maori paddles 881 243. Green jade adze and chisel 881 244. Common stone adze 881 245. A Maori toko-toko 881 246. New Caledonians defending their coast 893 247. Andamaners cooking a pig 893 248. A scene in the Nicobar Islands 903 249. The Outanatas and their weapons 903 250. The monkey men of Dourga Strait 909 251. Canoes of New Guinea 909 252. Huts of New Guinea 916 253. Dance by torchlight in New Guinea 916 254. The ambassador’s message 924 255. The canoe in a breeze 924 256. Presentation of the canoe 937 257. A Fijian feast 943 258. The fate of the boaster 943 259. Fijian idol 949 260. The orator’s flapper 949 261. Fijian spear 949 262. Fijian clubs 949 263. A Fijian wedding 957 264. House thatching by Fijians 957 265. A Buré, or temple, in Fiji 963 266. View in Makira harbor 963 267. Man and woman of Vaté 973 268. Woman and child of Vanikoro 973 269. Daughter of Tongan chief 973 270. Burial of a living king 980 271. Interior of a Tongan house 980 272. The kava party in Tonga 988 273. Tongan plantation 991 274. Ceremony of inachi 991 275. The tow-tow 999 276. Consulting a priest 999 277. Tattooing day in Samoa 1012 278. Cloth making by Samoan women 1012 279. Samoan club 1018 280. Armor of Samoan warrior 1018 281. Beautiful paddle of Hervey Islanders 1018 282. Ornamented adze magnified 1018 283. Spear of Hervey Islanders 1018 284. Shark tooth gauntlets 1025 285. Samoan warriors exchanging defiance 1027 286. Pigeon catching by Samoans 1027 287. Battle scene in Hervey Islands 1035 288. Village in Kingsmill Islands 1035 289. Shark tooth spear 1041 290. Shark’s jaw 1041 291. Swords of Kingsmill Islanders 1041 292. Tattooed chiefs of Marquesas 1046 293. Marquesan chief’s hand 1046 294. Neck ornament 1046 295. Marquesan chief in war dress 1046 296. The war dance of the Niuans 1054 297. Tahitans presenting the cloth 1054 298. Dressing the idols by Society Islanders 1067 299. The human sacrifice by Tahitans 1077 300. Corpse and chief mourner 1077 301. Tane, the Tahitan god, returning home 1084 302. Women and pet pig of Sandwich Islands 1084 303. Kamehameha’s exploit with spears 1089 304. Masked rowers 1089 305. Surf swimming by Sandwich Islanders 1093 306. Helmet of Sandwich Islanders 1097 307. Feather idol of Sandwich Islanders 1097 308. Wooden idol of Sandwich Islanders 1097 309. Romanzoff Islanders, man and woman 1101 310. Dyak warrior and dusum 1101 311. Investiture of the rupack 1105 312. Warrior’s dance among Pelew Islanders 1105 313. Illinoan pirate and Saghai Dyak 1113 314. Dyak women 1113 315. Parang-latok of the Dyaks 1122 316. Sumpitans of the Dyaks 1122 317. Parang-ihlang of the Dyaks 1122 318. The kris, or dagger, of the Dyaks 1129 319. Shields of Dyak soldiers 1129 320. A parang with charms 1129 321. A Dyak spear 1129 322. Canoe fight of the Dyaks 1139 323. A Dyak wedding 1139 324. A Dyak feast 1147 325. A Bornean adze axe 1152 326. A Dyak village 1153 327. A Dyak house 1153 328. Fuegian man and woman 1163 329. Patagonian man and woman 1163 330. A Fuegian settlement 1169 331. Fuegians shifting quarters 1169 332. Araucanian stirrups and spur 1175 333. Araucanian lassos 1175 334. Patagonian bolas 1175 335. Spanish bit and Patagonian fittings 1175 336. Patagonians hunting game 1180 337. Patagonian village 1187 338. Patagonian burial ground 1187 339. A Mapuché family 1201 340. Araucanian marriage 1201 341. Mapuché medicine 1207 342. Mapuché funeral 1207 343. The macana club 1212 344. Guianan arrows and tube 1214 345. Gran Chaco Indians on the move 1218 346. The ordeal of the “gloves” 1218 347. Guianan blow guns 1225 348. Guianan blow-gun arrow 1225 349. Guianan winged arrows 1225 350. Guianan cotton basket 1225 351. Guianan quiver 1225 352. Guianan arrows rolled around stick 1225 353. Guianan arrows strung 1225 354. Feathered arrows of the Macoushies 1231 355. Cassava dish of the Macoushies 1231 356. Guianan quake 1231 357. Arrow heads of the Macoushies 1231 358. Guianan turtle arrow 1231 359. Guianan quiver for arrow heads 1231 360. Feather apron of the Mundurucús 1231 361. Head-dresses of the Macoushies 1238 362. Guianan clubs 1238 363. Guianan cradle 1238 364. A Warau house 1244 365. Lake dwellers of the Orinoco 1244 366. Guianan tipiti and bowl 1249 367. Guianan twin bottles 1249 368. Feather apron of the Caribs 1249 369. Bead apron of the Guianans 1249 370. The spathe of the Waraus 1249 371. The Maquarri dance 1260 372. Shield wrestling of the Waraus 1260 373. Jaguar bone flute of the Caribs 1265 374. Rattle of the Guianans 1265 375. Mexican stirrups 1265 376. Iron and stone tomahawks 1265 377. Indian shield and clubs 1265 378. Mandan chief Mah-to-toh-pa and wife 1277 379. A Crow chief 1284 380. American Indians scalping 1284 381. Flint-headed arrow 1290 382. Camanchees riding 1291 383. “Smoking” horses 1291 384. Snow shoe 1295 385. Bison hunting scene 1299 386. Buffalo dance 1299 387. The Mandan ordeal 1305 388. The last race 1305 389. The medicine man at work 1311 390. The ball play of the Choctaws 1311 391. Indian pipes 1315 392. Ee-e-chin-che-a in war costume 1318 393. Grandson of a Blackfoot chief 1318 394. Pshan-shaw, a girl of the Riccarees 1318 395. Flat-head woman and child 1319 396. Indian canoe 1322 397. Snow shoe dance 1322 398. Dance to the medicine of the brave 1322 399. The canoe race 1327 400. Esquimaux dwellings 1327 401. Esquimaux harpoon head 1337 402. Burial of Blackbird, an Omaha chief 1341 403. Esquimaux spearing the walrus 1341 404. The kajak and its management 1347 405. Esquimaux sledge driving 1347 406. Wrist-guard of the Esquimaux 1353 407. Esquimaux fish-hooks 1353 408. Feathered arrows of Aht tribe 1356 409. Ingenious fish-hook of the Ahts 1357 410. Remarkable carved pipes of the Ahts 1357 411. Bow of the Ahts of Vancouver’s Island 1357 412. Beaver mask of the Aht tribe 1357 413. Singular head-dress of the Aht chiefs 1357 414. Decorated paddles of the Ahts 1357 415. Canoe of the Ahts 1361 416. Aht dance 1367 417. Initiation of a dog eater 1367 418. A Sowrah marriage 1387 419. A Meriah sacrifice 1387 420. Bows and quiver of Hindoos 1394 421. Ingenious ruse of Bheel robbers 1397 422. A Ghoorka attacked by a tiger 1397 423. A Ghoorka necklace 1403 424. A kookery of the Ghoorka tribe 1403 425. The chakra or quoit weapon 1403 426. Indian arms and armor 1403 427. Suit of armor inlaid with gold 1406 428. Chinese repeating crossbow 1425 429. Mutual assistance 1427 430. Chinese woman’s foot and shoe 1428 431. Mandarin and wife 1437 432. Various modes of torture 1437 433. Mouth organ 1445 434. Specimens of Chinese art 1446 435. Decapitation of Chinese criminal 1451 436. The street ballad-singer 1451 437. Japanese lady in a storm 1454 438. Japanese lady on horseback 1455 439. Capture of the truant husbands 1464 440. Candlestick and censers 1465 441. Suit of Japanese armor 1469 442. King S. S. P. M. Mongkut of Siam 1469 443. Portrait of celebrated Siamese actress 1469