Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 3, 1892.djvu/164

156 common to all these three peoples, among whom similar modern practices like those of the Sin-eater, the snuff-taking, and the corpse-cakes have been found, is well within the limits of induction. And it is confirmed by the customs, either still existent or quite recent, of the Greeks, the Scotch, and (though more doubtfully) of the Dyaks and the Gipsies, which appear to indicate the like practice among their respective ancestors.

But the strongest corroboration of the correctness of my conclusion is found in a repulsive custom, to which my attention has been called by a friend since this paper was read to the Society. This custom is practised by a number of tribes inhabiting the valley of the Uaupés, a tributary of the Amazons. Their houses are generally built to accommodate the whole community; and the dead are buried beneath the floor. About a month after the funeral, Dr. Wallace tells us, the survivors "disinter the corpse, which is then much decomposed, and put it in a great pan, or oven, over the fire, till all the volatile parts are driven off with a most horrible odour, leaving only a black carbonaceous mass, which is pounded into a fine powder, and mixed in several large couchés (vats made of hollowed trees) of a fermented drink called caxirí: this is drunk by the assembled company till all is finished; they believe that thus the virtues of the deceased will be transmitted to the drinkers."

The reason here expressly assigned for the custom is neither more nor less than that given by the Highlanders of Bavaria for making and eating the corpse-cakes. It is a general belief in the lower culture that food communicated its qualities to the eater. From the flesh of tigers courage and strength, speed from that of stags, timidity from that of hares, pass into those who eat them. The same order of thought leads the Tariánas and other tribes of the Uaupés to try to retain within the kindred the