ABSTRACT

First published in 2007. Deemed as an important contribution to the study of certain aspects of South American native civilisation, collated over five years, and includes personal observations as well as literature relating to the customs and beliefs of the native Indians in this vast area.

chapter Chapter I|42 pages

Ceremonial body-painting

chapter Chapter II|32 pages

Customs relating to hair and nails, head and skin

chapter Chapter III|27 pages

Feather ornaments

chapter Chapter VI|45 pages

Ceremonial mutilations and kindred customs

chapter Chapter VII|25 pages

The origin of ornamental art

chapter Chapter VIII|42 pages

The origin of ornamental art (concluded)

chapter Chapter IX|34 pages

Indian conception of animal spirits

chapter Chapter X|30 pages

Indian conception of plant spirits

chapter Chapter XI|48 pages

Spirits of inanimate objects

chapter Chapter XII|37 pages

Magical sacrifice

chapter Chapter XIII|22 pages

Indian theory of generation and conception

chapter Chapter XIV|32 pages

The couvade or male childbed

chapter Chapter XV|30 pages

The conception of taboo

chapter Chapter XVI|8 pages

The conception of mana