The Amerindians of Guyana - Week 1 PDF

WELCOME to HST 2105 INTRODUCT QUALITY OF CONCLUSIO WRITING REFERENCE TOTAL ION RESEARCH N S 2 10 3 3 2 20  THE AMERINDIANS OF GUYANA: The Indian periods of development...

WELCOME to HST 2105 INTRODUCT QUALITY OF CONCLUSIO WRITING REFERENCE TOTAL ION RESEARCH N S 2 10 3 3 2 20  THE AMERINDIANS OF GUYANA: The Indian periods of development Life in Guyana before the HST 2105 Europeans. Tribes Religion When did the Amerindians come to the Americas? Around 12,000 years ago the first peopling of the Americas occurred as the Ice Age made it possible for people to walk across the Bering Strait from East Asia, enter Alaska in North America and eventually make their way down south. The early migrants were forced to leave their homeland because of the following reasons: the extreme change in the weather and the consequent migration of the giant mammoth which was their main source of food and clothing. To escape their enemies and to seek new adventures. Along the way many tribes made permanent settlements while other continued the journey. There are 3 distinct periods of Amerindian development: Paleo-Indian, Meso-Indian the Neo-Indian period. The migration of the Amerindians. The Guianas When we speak of Guyana during this period we are referring to a wider area, the Guianas. This region is circumscribed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Amazon, Rio Negro, Casiquaire and Orinoco Rivers. It includes present day Guyana French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela. The natural environment at this time was very challenging ranging from dense forest, great rivers, fierce animals, extreme temperatures, swamps, mountains etc. These elements posed challenges for man to sustain himself while maintaining a balance with the nature. The Indians, though described by the Europeans as ‘savages’ and ‘primitive’ were the first to do so and with very simple tools as they did not have the iron tool  Paleo- Indian Period. The first Amerindians were called the Paleo Indian. They were hunters and used spears tipped with stone points to kill the mammoth. These projectile points were two to six inches long and had bases that were either straight or rounded inward. Men and older boys almost certainly were the hunters for the Paleo-Indian groups. Paleo-Indians lived in small nomadic groups and they entered the northwestern Guyana around 11,000 years ago when Trinidad was still attached to South America. Initially they lived on the low, swampy coastland region. Archaeological surveys in the region have unearthed evidence to show that the first people of Guyana formed settlements around some of these large pegasse swamps. The Guiana shield.  Review: 1. The first Amerindians entered Guyana from ______. 2. The peopling of the Americas occurred around _____. 3. Two challenges the early Amerindians faced were _______and ____. 4. The Guianas refer to ____ 5. The migration of the Amerindians was trigged by the _____  Meso – Indian Period. Dennis Williams, posited that around 7000 years ago the Paleo Indian graduated to become hunter-gatherers. Some of these hunter-gatherers used a variety of plants to produce oils, fibres and dyes. These activities were the early horticultural experiments of the early inhabitants. Archaeological studies reveal that a group of these people occupied Barabina Hill near to Mabaruma around that period. These Hunter-gathers left bedrock grinding surfaces ( polissoirs) for the manufacture of ground and polished stone tools. This is the development of intricate innovation in technology by this group. Bark beaters of chipped stone (used for extracting bark cloth), projectile points, chisels, axes, and adzes. These tools, no doubt, helped in creating the dug out canoe. Chipped quartz produced small tools such as scrapers and gouges. Bone was used for making awls, fish hooks and personal ornaments. Basketry skills were also developed and were used in the manufacture of fish traps and food containers. Bones were used for fashioning awls, fish hooks, personal ornaments. The canines of the bush hog were sued as scrapers while other teeth were used to make necklaces. Stone wedges shaped by adzes, chisels and spokeshaves were used to split wood. This technology also influence the creation of the dug out canoe as the settlements were also close to a river. Basketry was also developed during this period for the purposes of fishing, storing water and food. The during the Meso period significant gains were made and as they moved through the country each environment posed a new challenge to test and stretch their skill. Settlement patterns throughout the country had different degrees of permanency based on the availability of resources and this in turn influenced the cultural development of regions. Examples are: 1. The shell fish campsites of the Northwest region who exploited the resources of the brackish water mangrove swamps and freshwater swamps. The Zebra-nerite was the main source of protein Fats were taken from the larvae of certain beetles that deposited their eggs in the bark of the Ite palm. Starch was obtained from cashew nuts and the Ite palm, which they used to make flour. 2. Indians in the Rupununi exploited the Savannahs and rainforest resources. Water-fowl, fish, cayman, turtle, deer were in abundance after the rainy period while the sloth was sought during the rains for protein. 3.Kassikaitya River camps had expert fishermen. 4.The Oronoque and new River people were expert collectors of food. Some points to note during this period were: 1. The use of boiling in food preparation 2. The process of starch making e.g. from Ite palm to flour 3. The development of pottery 4. Stone work for hunting and food cooking.  Neo-Indian Period Beginning about 4,000 years ago, the riverbank areas were affected by severe droughts and, as the water levels in the rivers dropped, the salt water from the sea encroached further inland. Animals along many of the river banks migrated further inland to places with a steady fresh water supply. Human communities also moved to those areas, not only for fresh water, but also to follow the animal food supply. Dennis Williams' studies show that these droughts dried out many of the pegasse swamps in the North West District and the prolific growth of the Ite palm suffered as a result. The subsequent decline in the supply of starch forced the early people to look for alternatives in the higher regions. One of these alternatives was the cassava, and the domestication of this root vegetable saw the gradual establishment of permanent agricultural communities. The earliest of such settlements in the North West District were established around Hosororo and later in the Aruka River (in the North West District) about 3,000 years ago. But archaeological research has shown that Amerindian groups actually began living in those areas, though not on a permanent basis, from about 3,400 years ago. About 2,000 years ago, the first farming community appeared on the Corentyne River near to Wonotobo Falls. Later, other communities developed on both banks. The district around Orealla began to be settled about 1,000 years ago. From this area there was a western expansion across the intermediate savannahs up to the Demerara River. New ways of life: The swampy nature of the coastland,forced some Amerindian communities constructed huge earth mounds of over 20,000 square yards (18,000 square metres) about 2 metres above swamp level on which they built their houses. These houses, grouped together, were surrounded by wide ditches. Their agricultural plots were also created on similar types of mounds. Dennis Williams' studies, based on the evidence of ceramic patterns, indicate that an early form of this settlement was at Joanna, (in the Black Bush Polder area on the Corentyne), going back to about 1,500 years ago. The mastery of cassava and cassareep which can preserve food allowed for travel and exploration. New ways of life: The Amerindians practiced sedentary agriculture with the aide of Neolithic tools. They cultivated tobacco, cotton, cassava, maize, pepper, pineapple, sweet potato, pumpkin, watermelon to name some. The Warraus the Ite palm was their main starch. Crop rotation was not practiced but crops were grown side by side in the same field which eventually made the soil infertile as manure were not used. Animals were not domesticated and cattle, sheep and goats were not known to them. Animals that were hunted tapirs, deer, iguanas etc. Roles: Men were tasked with Women were tasked with: Planting and reaping of Hunting and Fishing food crops Preparing fields Preparing food and drink Manufacturing weapons piwari and cassiri and tools for hunting Carrying loads on long Making boats, furniture, journeys musical instruments. Making baskets hammocks Cutting wood and aprons. Going to war Bartering and trading Systems of writing: There is evidence of two systems of writing used by the Amerindians: Pictographs (rock paintings) Petrolglyphs ( rock engravings) Petroglyphs are engraved pictures on rock surfaces. They are found throughout the Americans and many are in the river in and savannah areas in Guyana. There are three main categories of petrolglyphs are: 1. Aishalton/Enumerative 2. Fishtrap 3. Timehri Petroglyphs: 1. Aishalton/Enumerative Petroglyphs- relates to humans, animals and plants. The shamen make the engraving as an accounting system to satisfy the master of animals and the spirits of the animals hunted. Cuneiform petroglyphs are a sub-type of the enumerative and were first discovered in the Iwokrama Rainforest. These engravings are very similar to the cuneiform of ancient Sumeria. 2. Fish Trap Petroglyphs- displays several types of fish traps used in fishing. The four traps are: Box Trap; Conical Trap; Cylindrical Trap and Composite Trap. These traps are located at the headwaters of the Essequibo river. 3. Timehri Petroglyphs- this was made by the Arawaks but the name is Carib meaning mark or painted. They represent costumes used in fertility and harvest dances. Some samples of Petroglyphs Some samples of Petroglyphs. Pictographs Pictographs are panted figures on rock surfaces. They are commonly found in either caves or rock shelters. In Guyana pictographs are predominantly painted in red although examples of black and pink are know from Shea rock. Review: 1. Two activities of Amerindian women are_______? 2. One difference between the Paleo period and Meso period is _______. 3. The system of writing that represent fertility is __________. 4. The most prized object for the Amerindian was___________. 5. The Amerindians always lived peacefully with each other. T/F 6. Why was the Neolithic period significant? Tribes of Guyana William Hillhouse divided the Indians of Guyana into 8 different nations: 1. Caribisce 2. Accaway 3. Arawaak 4. Warrow 5. Macusis 6. Paramuni 7. Attaraya 8.Attamacka Later the Arecunas, Tarumus, Wapishanas, Wai-Wais were added. Today there are four main tribes living in Guyana: The Warraus The Arawaks/Lokono The Caribs- Arecunas, Akawaios, Patamonas and Macusis Locations The Caribs populated the coastal areas from Orinoco to Pomeroon and selected sites as far as Corentyne. They later moved to the lower-middle Cuyuni-Mazaruni- Essequibo area. The Arawaks were scattered on the coast, higher spots of the wet savanna and later within the sand and clay belt. The Warraus were concentrated in the area between the Moruka and Orinoco rivers. This is swampy terrain. There is evidence of them also in the swamplands of Mahaica- Mahaciony, Canje and Berbice rivers. Appearance and Characteristics: Columbus gave the first description of the Indians, stating their fine physique, smooth skin, coper colour, long black hair, dark eyes and well built stature. Reverend Williams described them as “…he has no desire for material prosperity; to desire more than the supply of his immediate needs would strike him as being greedy…” They are a proud people with a strong love of liberty. The Dutch referred to them as ‘bok’ meaning a swift and nimble creature. Points to note: The Indians had a simple and peaceful life and homicide was rare. Their law provided for public death for adultery. Stealing was abhorred and rarely occurred. War was declared by the beating a drum or sticking an arrow in an open spot. Cannibalism occurred among the Caribs. Slave raiding was done by the Caribs against their neighbours. The Caribs and Akawois constantly raided the Wapishana settlements, seizing many of these people to use as poitos (slaves). The Kanaima or law of retaliation was an important aspect of their culture. Mayan Aztec contrast Religious Ceremonies Society Offering of blood to Kings ruled with absolute power the gods. (Blood It was believed they communicated with the gods. Letting) Priests & Warriors Ball Game Only allowed to use Upper Class your elbows, knees, Merchants & Skilled Craftsmen and hips to get a Middle Class rubber ball through a Farmers & Slaves hoop. Losing team Lower Class sacrificed. Human Sacrifice Economic Organisation: The Arawaks were traders and this was an important activity for them that occurred from village to village and beyond. This helps to account for the spread of food, weapons, pottery and culture throughout the region. The role of women here was vital as they worked harder than men. They planted and reaped crops, prepared the food and looked after the children. On the trail, it was the women who carried the baggage while the men were better able to protect their families from animals. The men cleared the fields, built houses, canoes. Hunted and fished. They cultivated both sweet and bitter cassava, yams, beans, peppers, guava, papaw, pineapple, sugar cane, bananas, tobacco and cotton. N.B. The Warraus practiced little or no agriculture. Political Organisation: Villages rarely exceeded 100 persons. The Arawaks had a well-defined system of authority and hierarchy. The headman or cacique or Owls was the head of the village. The chief settled disputes, distributed land and in the case of the Caribs decided when they will raid. The males became headman but there is evidence of a few females who were the head of the village. Religion The religion of the Indians was animism ( their belief in the spirit world) Thus the forest, rivers were dominated by spirits. This lead to their practice of pleasing the spirit God. Columbus posited that the Indian believed that the source of all was in the sky. The shaman or piaimen was believed to possess supernatural powers. Tobacco smoke and mattracus were key instruments in religion. For the Caribs Shaman had the same prestige. They believed that a supernatural snake was killed by a hero and from the snake came men, animals and binas or hunting charms. The beliefs of these two groups are very similar and for them the spirit world was real. The Piaiman The Piaiman was very important, he was trained in the arts of exorcism and had the ability to communicate with the spirit world. He was knowledgeable in the use of herbal medicine. Myers asserted that she witnessed what appeared to have been 2 genuine cases of psychological healing by the piaman. Large village had its own piaman while smaller villages linked by kinship shared a piaman. Why? They believed that evil came from outside of the family. The Warraus These are the boat builders. Their skill was seen in the craftmanship and durability of the canoes they built with the tools they had. They were timid people who deeply feared the Caribs. Their houses were built on pile or stilts because of the swampy land of the coast. The Wapisianas: Were described as the most reliable and industrious of all tribes in Guyana. They were experts in making hammocks ( which they learnt from the Macusi). They were more agriculturists than hunters and fishers. They loved trade and were excellent at fast walking and running and building canoes. The Wai-Wai were best known for the ‘magic blowing’ rituals. They believed that this blowing would enter a person. They also believed in death blowing. The Wai-Wais also like to party and have drinking festivals. The life of the Amerindians changed with the arrival of the Europeans and their relationship was not for mutual gain. The Amerindians are the wealthiest people in Guyana as they own the majority of the Land of Guyana. Note: Amerindian societies in Guyana were underdeveloped as they were small groups scattered across a wide expansive territory. The village was their largest political unit and in some cases several villages joined to defend themselves from a common threat. The economy was subsistence base with a communal intent. Profit was a foreign concept. In relation to technology they were in the pre –iron ages but were able to make significant development with the tools they had. Compare and contrast the 3 periods and link with tribal development. Paleo Meso Neo