Challenge 2: Hunting for Supper

TheMatséshuntallkindsofrain forestcreaturesforfood.Pig-likepeccaries.Rabbit-sizedrodentscalledpacas.Wildturkeys.Tohuntthem,theyuseabowand arrow.


Matsésbowsandarrowsarefinelycrafted,andtheyareprecious.Kane’sgrouphadonlyonebowandonearrow,whichbelongedtothebesthunter.Heshareditwith everyone.


Kanesoonlearnedhowmuchskillittooktohuntinthisway.Thebowwasastallashewas.Thearrowhadtwoforksonthetip.Becauseitwastheonlyone,ithadtoberetrievedaftereveryshot.Ifitbroke,theMatsésfixedtheshaftandkeptusing it.

OnenightKanewentalongonawildturkeyhunt.Kanewasamazedbythehunters’skillattrackinganimalsbysound.Theyknewexactlywhichanimalmadewhichsound.TheMatséscouldalsomimic,orcopy,ananimal’scalltolocateit.Thentheymovedalong noiselessly.


CitydwellersKaneandhisdadmadetoomuchnoiseastheymoved.TheMatsésaskedthemtostaystilluntiltheyhadfoundtheanimalorbirdtheywere after.


Suddenly,theguidespottedaturkey.HehandedKanethebowandarrow.Whoosh!Kane'sarrowjustmissed,andthebirdescaped.Aluckydayforthebird,butnotoneforKaneandthe Matsés!

Kanepracticeshishuntingskillswithabowand arrow. 

Kanecrossesafast-movingcreekonabridgehehelpedbuildfromafallen log.

MatsésWays

One day,thegrouppaddledadugoutcanoeforninehours.Theywantedtogotoadifferentsettlementwherethepeoplestillfollowtheirancient ways.


Peopleherepiercetheirnoseswiththethinribsofpalmleaves.Theyaresometimescalledthe“catpeople”becausethepalmleaveslooklikethewhiskersofjaguars.Menalsowearnecklacesofjaguar teeth.


Beforea hunt,themenheresometimesholdceremoniestomakethemstrong.Inone,anelderblowssmokefromamixoftobaccoandcacao(cocoabean)upthenostrilsofanotherhunter.Inanotherceremony,menburntheirskinandthenrubpoisonintotheburnedarea.Kanedidnottrythosetwo customs!

jaguar

Thistribeofpeoplereverethejaguar.Theypiercetheirnoseswithpiecesofpalmstomimicajaguar’s whiskers.