Tangweera: Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages

C. Napier Bell

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Bell, C. Napier. Tangweera: Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages, New York, USA: University of Texas Press, 1989. https://doi.org/10.7560/780668

Bell, C. (1989). Tangweera: Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages. New York, USA: University of Texas Press. https://doi.org/10.7560/780668

Bell, C. 1989. Tangweera: Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages. New York, USA: University of Texas Press. https://doi.org/10.7560/780668

Bell, C. Napier. Tangweera: Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages. New York, USA: University of Texas Press, 1989. https://doi.org/10.7560/780668

Bell C. Tangweera: Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages. New York, USA: University of Texas Press; 1989. https://doi.org/10.7560/780668

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Tangweera

Life and Adventures among Gentle Savages

C. Napier Bell
With contributions by: Philip A. Dennis

https://doi.org/10.7560/780668

Overview
Contents

Overview

About this book

In the 1980s, conflicts between the Miskito people of Nicaragua's eastern coast and the Sandinistas drew international attention. Indeed, the Miskitos' struggle to defend their cultural autonomy and land rights points out a curious historical anomaly. This native group has long had closer ties to British and American culture than to Hispanic Nicaraguan culture. C. Napier Bell, son of a British trader, grew up on the Miskito Coast in the nineteenth century and spoke the Miskito language fluently.

Tangweera, first published in 1899, is Bell's autobiographical account of his boyhood experiences. Rich in ethnographic detail, the book records an idyllic life of hunting, fishing, and trading. Bell describes the social customs and beliefs of the various Indian peoples he knew, as well as the relations among the coastal Miskito, the black creole population, and the tribes of the interior—the latter a subject of continuing importance. Although Bell shared common nineteenth-century ideas about the inferiority of “savage” races, his affection for the Miskito people and his love of their land fill Tangweera. Anthropologists, historians, naturalists, and travelers in the region will find this fascinating reading.

The introduction by Philip A. Dennis, Professor of Anthropology at Texas Tech University, provides a modern observer's view of Miskito culture and discusses important changes and continuities since Bell's time.

Author / Editor information

C. Napier Bell (1835-1906) was a civil engineer. Born in Scotland, he grew up in Central America.

Topics

Cultural Studies
Cultural Theory
General Cultural Theory

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
INTRODUCTION Philip A. Dennis Publicly Available Download PDF	v
REFERENCES CITED Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
PREFACE Publicly Available Download PDF	xv
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	xvii
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Publicly Available Download PDF	xxi
INTRODUCTION Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER I. Inhabitants— Habits—Creole language and character-Mixed breeds— Early recollections—'Ma Presence‘ Ta Tom ’— ‘ Ma Presence’ a praying soul—Christmas at Blewfields—‘ Wakes' Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	16
C H A P T E R II. Danger from tigers—Danger from alligators—Joys and sadness of Blewfields— Eboes in season—Gathering shell-fish—Manatee—Bowman caters for us—The King and I disport ourselves—Turtle—The rainy season—Crickey-jeen and butterflies—Thunder, rain and storms— Winged ants and their consumers. Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	32
CHAPTER III. ‘ Marching army; ants—‘ Sheep’s head ’ fishing—Close of the rainy season —Migratory birds—Wees—Pigeons—Other visitors—Ducks, teal and coots— Resident birds—Fly-catchers, etc Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	48
C H A P T E R IV . Early adventures—Perilous voyage—On the island—Voyage resumed— The Nile — Across the bar— Attack on Fort Serapiqui — Make a ‘ prize ’— Filibuster Walker—Adventures Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	60
C H A P T E R V. Our voyage up the coast to the Toongla River—The Pearl Keys— Sleeping: at sea—The creek—Quamwatla—Mosquito Indians—Absence of men —Arrival of the absent—Feuds and sentiments—Names and loves— Love-songs—Death and dirge songs—Feast of the dead—Suicides —Drinking—Native doctors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
CHAPTER VI. Voyage up Twaka River— Lower River—Sickness and superstition— Sailing in a pitpan— Camping in the rain—All night in a canoe in the rain—Attempted suicide—Voyage continued—Flood in Twaka River —Camp in flooded bush— Hunting on the way—Cruelties of shooting monkeys—On the journey again— Flood subsiding—Hunting and shooting—Boy in a nightmare— Monkeys—Wowlas—Superstitions— Boat-bill herons—The falls on the Twaka—News on the sandbanks Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	99
CHAPTER VII . Tw aka village— Interview with a cock curassow—News of the day—The Twakas—Industries and customs— Bathing sports— I go hunting— The hunting-path— Meet two bush nymphs— Dexterity of Indians in the bush—A view from a hill—A drove of warree—Gathering the slain— Hiring men for mahogany works—We prepare our provisions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	122
CHAPTER VIII. Birds of the morning—Shooting the rapids—Tapir yarns—Poultry of the spirits— Clamorous land-rails — Night on the river—Night talk— Overcome with sleep—Attacked by wasps—Fight with mosquitoes — Insect pests—Goods arrive—Toongla River—Alligator yarns Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	141
CHAPTER IX. Charming the wind—Smoo Indians—4 Thunder’s mooring-post ’— Piakos- Maya—Story-telling— Night scene — Sucked by bats—jaguar adventure Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	157
CHAPTER X. Proceed up the river—Lazy voyage—Small village—Hospitality— Hunting warree—Carrying the game out— Feasting and stories of the hunt— Sentimental reveries—A fishing journey Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	168
CHAPTER XI. Cupid—Drift down the river—Howling monkey killed—Yowya Creek : beauties of the forest — Sleep on a tomagoff — Wakna Creek : camping—A tapir—Morning start—A jaguar—A pretty waterfall— Our head camp. Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	180
CHAPTER XII. Our work— Mahogany-cutting—Pleasures of evening at camp— Mahogany —T ruck-passes—Log-driving Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	188
CHAPTER XIII. Dry weather—Our women— Our hunters—The puma—Monkeys—Eagles —Hawks—Owls—Goatsuckers—Pickwa Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	196
CHAPTER XIV . King vulture—Curassow—Quam—‘ Sun-down ’ partridge— Quail—Twee —Woodpeckers—Red-rump blackbirds—Peetooyoola—Formicivora — Wagtails — Warree-yoola legend — Alwaney, the thunder-god — Pursued by a snake—A snake in the canoe—Boas—Quash Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
CHAPTER XV . Von Tempsky left alone—Up Wakna Creek—Bees—Hauling out logs— Down creek—Left behind—Rescue and ‘ chaff’—Sookia doctor Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	230
CHAPTER XVI. Rainy season commences— Go out to main river—Wading through the bush—Swimming flooded river—Country flooded—Fever and ague— Great green macaw—Paroquets— Indian dress and ornaments— Yellowtails—Toucans—Peeakos— Ooruk — Pillis — Swallows— Wild chocolate—Plants, flowers, and fruit—Adventure with an ant-eater Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	242
CHAPTER XVII. Industrious women— Family life—Women left alone—Egg harvest— Alligators as playthings—Trade and commerce—Race differences— Daily occupations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	260
CHAPTER XVIII. The King and I grow up—We visit his relations— Keys—Turtle-fishing— Pleasant hours on coral keys — Duckwarra— Oopla smalkaya — Sermon of the teacher— Its application—Love for mothers Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	273
CHAPTERX IX. Inland Duckwarra—Savannas and their occupants—Raccoons—Flies - Mosquitoes—Ticks—Jiggers— Heavy weather at sea—Rescued Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	283
CHAPTER XX. Gracias a Dios—Turtle-tax hunting—The King’s second sister—Up the Wanx River Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	292
CHAPTER XXI. Reception by Queen-Dowager— Cattle hunting— Fording river— Fly catchers— Swifts—Bathing—Jaguars—Farewell Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	301
APPENDIX A Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	309
APPENDIX B Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	312
APPENDIX D Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	314
INDEX Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	316

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Language: English
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 358

eBook

Published: July 29, 2014
ISBN: 9780292769762