Their dogs used in hunting for the most part are obtained
from the Tarumas, who have the reputation of breeding the
best ones in the whole region. Among the Tarumas dogs are
treated with great care. They are never allowed to run loose
about the house, but are kept tied on platforms when not in the
chase on account of the danger to their feet from jiggers (Pulex
penetraus). There are not so many jiggers in the Wapisiana
houses, consequently the dogs are allowed more freedom. While
not particularly trained for it, different dogs become better
hunters for certain animals, and are known as “deer dogs” or
“jaguar dogs.” The dogs are given binas as well as the men.
If a dog is lazy he is taken to an ant hill and held among the
infuriated ants until he howls with pain. If he has difficulty in
scenting the trail of animals, his nose is held for the ants to
sting. If he is slow or does not run well, ants or the extracted
juices of certain plants are placed under his tail causing great
pain. The dogs are most useful in hunting the tapir and the
two varieties of peccaries. The tapir generally has certain
regular runs which are known to the hunters. Feeding late in
the evening and at night, he lies down during the heat of
the day. When aroused by the dogs he always runs for the
water hole where he is accustomed to drink and bathe. The
dogs chase him to the water and surround him there until the
52 UNIVERSITY MUSEUM ANTHROPOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS, VOL. IX
hunters kill him with their bows and arrows or short spears.
The large peccaries (Dicolytes labiatus), when encountered, mayturn and fight the dogs until the hunter approaches. He may
be able to kill a few peccaries before the others scatter through
the forest; some take refuge in an angle between the great
roots of a tree, holding the dogs at bay until the hunter’s arrow,
spear or bamboo knife ends the unequal fight. The most
common method used, if there is room, is for the hunter to place
his short spear against the cheek of the peccary and, holding its
head aside, stab the animal with a bamboo knife. The small
peccary {Dicolytes torquatus), when chased by the dogs, plunges
into hollow logs, trees or holes in the ground. The men
fasten the opening to prevent its escape and make a most
ingenious kind of trap. A dozen small poles are cut eight
feet long and tied together in such a way as to make a long
funnel. It is large enough at one end to admit the peccary
and tapers gradually to a diameter of six inches at the other.
The larger end is placed in the hole while the other is lifted three
feet from the ground and secured to a tree or upright poles.
When all preparations are completed the fastening is removed
from the hole and the peccary rushes out and into the trap.
His legs go through between the poles and at the end of the
second jump his front feet can not reach the ground. He at
once attempts to get back, but one man places a pole behind
him while another hits him on the head and kills him. This is
a very good trap and never fails to capture its prey because
the peccary always comes out. It makes no difference how
much noise the men and dogs are making, he tries to get out
even before the trap is ready and the way cleared. Just why
he does so, I am unable to determine.
guyana
British Colonies
Africa:
Nigeria
Ghana
Cameroon
Kenya
Tanzania
Gambia
Egypt
South Africa
Uganda
Botswana
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Asia:
Hong Kong (now part of China)
Malaysia
Singapore
Europe:
Ireland
Gibraltar (Spain)
Cyprus
Americas:
Guyana
Jamaica
Bahamas
Barbados
St Kitts
America
Canada
The Pacific:
New Zealand
Australia
fynm 