Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 24, 1913.djvu/64

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The Indians of the Issd-Japurd District.

of growing manioc and preparing cassava is described, and the meaning will gradually shift from the birth and growth of the plant to the birth of a human being, The song is interminable, and will only be concluded when the Chief cries : —

 Inline (it is good), imine, The women are good wonren, Imitie^

The Muenane, a language-group between the Andoke and Resigero peoples, have a special Riddle Dance. This has been copied by many of their neighbours, judging from the fact that wherever it is danced the answer, if in the negative, is given in the Muenane language. The leader, a man selected for his wit, asks a riddle, probably original. The dancing chorus repeat it till the measure ends ; then the questioner with a lighted torch rushes round and seeks an answer, thrusting. his torch in the face of those he questions. Herewith comes the Muenane reply Jatta, (I do not know). The dancer then joins the file following the originator and copying his actions, which are supposed to give the clue to the riddle, probably the name of a bird or animal, whose movements would be copied with an astonishingly adept mimicry, which is somewhat akin to certain children's games. The wit of the riddle depends on the amount of sexual suggestion that can be introduced in the reply, for these people, though strictly moral (by their own and even by our standards) in their habits, are in their most ordinary conversation what we should consider licentious in the extreme.

A dance is kept going for four or five days without cessation, and the amount of liquid consumed is amazing, though solid food is at a discount. The drinks are not alcoholic, but are made from certain fruits and appear to serve for food as well as drink. The excitement grows wilder and wilder ; the noise intensifies ; the breadth of suggestion in action and word increases to a degree im-