A narrative of travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro,

by Alfred Russel Wallace

On the south banks, the Manaós were formerly a very numerous nation. It appears to have been these tribes who gave rise to the various accounts of imaginary wealth prevalent soon after the discovery of America: the whole of them are now civilized, and their blood mingles with that of some of the best families in the Province of Pará: their language is said still to exist, and to be spoken by many old persons, but I was never fortunate enough to meet with any one understanding it.

One of the singular facts connected with these Indians of the Amazon valley, is the resemblance which exists between some of their customs, and those of nations most remote from them. The gravatána, or blow-pipe, reappears in the sumpitan of Borneo; the great houses of the Uaupés closely resemble those of the Dyaks of the same country; while many small baskets and bamboo-boxes, from Borneo and New Guinea, are so similar in their form and construction to those of the Amazon, that they would be supposed to belong to adjoining tribes. Then again the Mundrucús, like the Dyaks, take the heads of their enemies, smoke-dry them with equal care, preserving the skin and hair entire, and hang them up around their houses. In Australia the throwing-stick is used; and, on a remote branch of the Amazon, we see a tribe of Indians differing from all around them, in substituting for the bow a weapon only found in such a remote portion of the earth, among a people differing from them in almost every physical character.

It will be necessary to obtain much more information on this subject, before we can venture to decide whether such similarities show any remote connection between these nations, or are mere accidental coincidences, produced by the same wants, acting upon people subject to the same conditions of climate and in an equally low state of civilization; and it offers additional matter for the wide-spreading speculations of the ethnographer.

The main feature in the personal character of the Indians of this part of South America, is a degree of diffidence, bashfulness, or coldness, which affects all their actions. It is this that produces their quiet deliberation, their circuitous way of introducing a subject they have come to speak about, talking half an hour on different topics before mentioning it: owing to this feeling, they will run away if displeased, rather than complain, and will never refuse to undertake what is asked them, even when they are unable or do not intend to perform it.

It is the same peculiarity which causes the men never to exhibit any feeling on meeting after a separation; though they have, and show, a great affection for their children, whom they never part with; nor can they be induced to do so, even for a short time. They scarcely ever quarrel among themselves, work hard, and submit willingly to authority. They are ingenious and skilful workmen, and readily adopt any customs of civilized life that may be introduced among them; and they seem capable of being formed, by education and good government, into a peaceable and civilized community.

This change however will perhaps never take place: they are exposed to the influence of the refuse of Brazilian society, and will probably, before many years, be reduced to the condition of the other half-civilized Indians of the country, who seem to have lost the good qualities of savage life, and gained only the vices of civilization.

VOCABULARIES

	English.	Lingoa Geral.	Uainambeu.	Juri.	Curetú. (R. Jupura, and R. Apaporis.)	Cobeu.	Tucáno.	Tariána.	Baniwa. (R. Isanna.)	Barré.	Baniwa. (Tomo, Maroa.)	Baniwa. (Javíta.)
1.	Man, male	Apegaúa	Achíjari	Tchoucú	Ermeú	Erméu	Érmeu	Tchíali	Atchináli	Hénul	Henúmi	Caténimuni	1.
2.	Woman, female	Cúnha	Ináru	Tchúre	Nomí	Nomiá	Nómio	Ínalhu	Ínaru (nuino, wife)	Inéituti (nunio, wife)	Néyau	Thalinafemi	2.
3.	Boy	Curumí	Maishú	Raiuté	Ing̃ig̃u	Hethoukí	Muktúingh	Inapaíh	Mápen	Hantitchuli	Irluberlib	Mathicoyu	3.
4.	Girl	Cunhañtáñ	Maishú	Uítemi	Nomi amang̃á	Nomihetokoú	Muktúin	Ínalhutáki	Mápeni	Heineítutchli	Néyau férium	Mathicoyu	4.
5.	Head (my)	Acánga	(Eri)bída	(Tcho)kircú	Cuilrí	Ipóbu	Righpóah	(Nhu)hída	(Nhú)ideu	(No)dúsia	Nobu	(Wa)sího	5.
6.	Mouth (my)	Eúru	(Eri)núma	(Tcho)iá	Dishí	Ihécuno	Igséro	(No)núma	(No)numá	(No)núma	Enomá	(Wa)nóma	6.
7.	Eye (my)	Sésa	(Eri)dóe	(Tcho)ití	Yeëllúh	Yacóli	Cáchperi	(Nó)ti	(Nu)íti	(Nu)iti	(No)fúrli	(Wa)hólisi	7.
8.	Nose (my)	Etíñ	(Nü)etácu	Youcóne	Ergílli	Nuénca	Íchkenga	(No)tákhu	(Ni)tueú	(Nu)tí	(Nú)yapeu	(Wa)síwi	8.
9.	Teeth (my)	Sánha	(Nu)áei	(Tcha)tíkou	Gophpecuh	Coping	Oghpíri	(Nó)e	(Nó)yeihei	(Na)heí	(Ná)si	(Wa)thi	9.
10.	Belly (my)	Maríca	(Nu)cútu	Tura-éh	Tohtóno	Yapíbu	Pára	(No)öúa	(No)sháda	(No)dúllah	Panéni	(Wa)hnwíti	10.
11.	Arm (my)	Juá	(Eri)bédo	(Tcho)uá	Dicáh	Amoué	Ómogha	(No)cápi	(No)zeté	(No)dana	(Na)nu	(Wa)cano	11.
12.	Hand (my)	Epó	(Eri)kiápi	(Tcho)upumáu	Muhú	Piulrí	Tómogha	(No)cápi wána	(Nu)cápi	(Nu)cábi	(Na)phi	(Wa)cávi	12.
13.	Fingers (my)	Pumirí	(Nu)cápi	(Tcho)upeí	Muétshu	Amoíyo	Omóghpia	(No)páda	(Nu)capi	(Nu)cabi heíntibe	(Na)phibu	(Wa)cavi thiani	13.
14.	Toes (my)	Pumirí	(Nu)ipaména	(Tcho)upomórli	Giápa muélshu	Ibólowa	Ni póghpigha	(No)páda	(Nu)hipá	Nísi heíntibi	Geiutsísini	(Wa)tsítsi culohási	14.
15.	Foot (my)	Ipi	(Eri)ípa	(Tcho)u-óti	Giápah	Kiboúba	Dí pogha	(No)híbama	(Nu)pipa	Nisi	(Nú)itsipalu	(Wa)tsitsi	15.
16.	Bone (my)	Cañéra	(Nu)ápi	(Tcho)uinó	Gnuéh	Cualhó	Ohwa	(Nó)api	(No)apí	Nábi	(Nó)piuna	(Wa)rlanuku	16.
17.	Blood (my)	Tuí	(Nu)ira	Ehcónieri	Dií	Iwé	Díi	Ílhei	(Nu)ira	Níya	Miasi	(Wa)thanúma	17.
18.	Hunger	Eumasí	Oaríkena		Yehaurí				Mauítukei	Wamári	Mauáli	(Wa)táva	18.
19.	Thirst	Shauputari i (I want water)	Macararinuámba		Deco ilré				Nuíra úni	Macáing inuni	Núcalouwénifi	Úno	19.
20.	Meat	Söó	Irií	Tuóieh	Séheá	Iárlre	Diíro	Núibe	Ueneinéu	Nuodíti	Émeu	Básu	20.
21.	Fat	Caúa	Kési	Iiá	Giauí	Neaú	Tsé	Núisi	Rhoieugéu	Cuníhin	Rípa		21.
22.	Water	I	Uné	Coörá	Deco	Óghcógh	Óghcogh	Úni	Úni	Úni	Wéni	Wéni	22.
23.	Farinha	Oí	Cáou	Omohó	Bagarín	Utilrhá	Poóca	Cáui	Matchúca	Matchúca	Matsúca	Matshúca	23.
24.	Language	Henga	Nodásha		Goco					Nahélluca			24.
25.	The tongue (my)	Siapecu		(Tcho)uté	Dolór	Erimendó	Iáméro	(No)énana	(Nu)niñe	(No)néna	Patáli	(Wa)táli	25.
26.	Tobacco	Pitíma		Iiyá		Butí	Béuro	Iéma			Eeli	Djéema	26.
27.	Fire	Tatá	Itchípa	Ií	Piúlre	Touá	Pekhámi	Tsiaúa	Tidgé	Camíni	Ársi	Cáthi	27.
28.	Wind	Oitú	Opírina	Rereáh	Tchultchúe	Oomé	Uílonho	Calédhi	Carlía	Ouisí	Uítsi		28.
29.	Egg	Supiá	Rëébi	Eaté	Diá	Carduhín	Niéri	Diéve	Liaué	Teinico	Íneneu		29.
30.	Cassava bread	Mehu	Úre	Oró	Baëdéh	Aoúno	Ahóua	Peilítha	Perité	Cúsi	Cáca	Ahósi	30.
31.	Knife	Kisé	Baá	Iíno	Uipeí	Cauwé	Niípei	Marliá	Marlíhe	Titéhi	Marlía	Cotsio	31.
32.	Bow	Mirapára	Páro	Mechouaí	Patueipeí	Temutalabi	Miábgaki	Yaviteábhu	Djepitábu	Suépi	Saúitouli	Saútolethi	32.
33.	Arrow	Juía	Isíepe	Poconé	Garléh	Témuyu	Anúgha	Shidóa	Capoúi	Dábida	Uéipipi	Saúto	33.
34.	Basket	Ursacánga	Caáme	Coömó	Diillú	Iaibó	Wuhíbati	Ápa	Uapa	Uápa	Sétau	Canato	34.
35.	Pan	Panéra	Ítse	Coöwé	Shooló	Cuíya	Kibúdti	Tchíwa	Caturéwabi	Yúlleti	Rhíli	Ániothi	35.
36.	House	Óca	Panísi	Tíno	Ueé	Kelámi	Wíi	Pánishi	Panthi	Phani	Panísi	Panithi	36.
37.	Ground	Euípi	Ípai	Péa	Thetáh	Obó	Diíta	Hipéi	Hipéi	Cadi	Yatsiphe	Caatsi	37.
38.	Forest	Caápi	Aapánn	Noiyú	Puú	Yocá	Pulí	Panaphe	Djecápe	Demacállabu	Taúape	Titsvená	38.
39.	Path	Pé	Idjápu	Nemó	Maá	Má	Maá	Inípu	Anípo	Denábu	Tenepo	Coathá	39.
40.	Tree	Mirá	Abána	Noinó	Yabú	Okérgi	Yúkena	Heícu	Heicúi	Áda	Witsípha		40.
41.	Grass	Capim (Port.)	Imitsi	Pinóu	Taá	Coniá	Taá	Canápithi	Lhijudeu	Hibéni	Nunábi		41.
42.	Bird	Uerá	Sibéni	Récapu	Mirlá	Miwér	Mírimágheu	Capilla	Tepirá	Tábate	Eiúwi		42.
43.	Fish	Pirá	Idjá	Oöó	Iaú	Móaki	Waií	Cophé	Cophé	Cobáti	Ríme	Simási	43.
44.	Pig	Taihassú	Capéna	Aáte	Tshetshé	Wáni	Yétste	Ábia	Hapíja	Habíja	Aminami		44.
45.	Dog	Iaoára	Tchábi	Wéri	Imatsa	Youimi	Díeiyi	Tchíno	Tchínu	Tchínu	Tsíno		45.
46.	Banana	Pacóa	Panári	Weramá	Gopeiabúh	Órlhi	Ohóh	Délhi	Pálaneu	Pálanu	Palátna	Palatana	46.
47.	Fruit	Iuá	Duákisari		Unhú				Héikeuda	Dábu	Pinábi		47.
48.	Leaf	Caá	Aápana	Noiyóu	Gilrá	Onirocá	Púghli	Denípe	Apánape	Dabánube	Tsápi	Barlbúnna	48.
49.	Bark	Piríra (skin)	Reéma	Coinoá	Peiaposi	Okigikái	Cághseri	Tápa	Tchekéia	Adáda	Átaphi máta		49.
50.	Hair (my)	Siaúa		Tikiriú	Phoá	Pohlá	Poárli	(No)tsiallih	(No)chídupe	(Ní)ta	Notsipana	(Wa)maoó	50.
51.	Beard (my)	Seniaúa		(Tch)upéri	Gocolópuáh	Ewí	Ughsíkapori	(No)édha	(No)chínumu	(Nu)sínamu	Noránumi	Fasanumá	51.
52.	Cord	Tupasáma	Uádasi	Nepenöóli	Pohnculú	Pómboka	Póhlamo	Nódusi	Ninórua	Nunaheí	Enonási	Kinósi	52.
53.	Réde	Maquéira	Hamáka	Nebipé	Puú	Pównki	Póhneu	Hámaka	Makeitiba	Míh	Mítsa	Hamáka	53.
54.	Canoe	Igára	Íta	Noöwú	Cumú	Yówliko	Uhkérsiweu	Íta	Íta	Ísa	Murupuriáni	Báca	54.
55.	Paddle	Apecuitoúa	Déna	Noomé	Ueepihn	Yowliwé	Uihówape	Héicuita	Tíwe	Néhew	Nehewpa	Néhew	55.
56.	Sun	Curasé	Camúi	Iyé	Aoué	Ouiá	Uípo	Kéthi	Camuí	Camu	Námouri		56.
57.	Moon	Iási	Cári	Noimó	Iamímaíga	Ouiá	Uípo	Kéthi	Kerí	Thé, Khé	Narhíta	Énoo	57.
58.	Star	Siúsi	Ibídji	Oúca	Omoari	Amiócowa	Uáhcoa	Uallípele	Hiwiri	Wénadi	Uimínari		58.
59.	Morning	Coéma	Amáraa		Uahuhí				Danacadjéni	Yehani	Yauwáiha	Yahenáse	59.
60.	Evening	Carúka	Daiaábe		Maigauhúa				Deikéna	Piúakan	Yaúwa	Yáthi	60.
61.	Day	Ára	Amáraki	Oáh	Ipáni	Alowí	Ermérlico	Coápi	Hecuápi	Yeháni	Pépurhi	Yahenusíta	61.
62.	Night	Pitúna	Dapiibé	Epóri	Iamí	Yamuí	Yámi	Dépi	Depipomijoíokeu	Hebinameh	Yarápu	Meroría	62.
63.	Father	Paía	Paí i	Háto	Yiupuíh	Ipáki	Paguí	Paíca	Padjo	Mbaba, my father Biákari, your father	Nomámi		63.
64.	Mother	Maía	Ámi	Iyuhó	Maí (?)	Ipáko	Máou	Náca	Nádjo	Memi, my mother Biakou, your, his, mother	Nosurámi		64.
65.	Son	Taiéra	Núiri	Owúye	Simugí	Himáki	Yéhmacuh	Noénipe	Níri	Noditulh	Noü’ta		65.
66.	Daughter	Taiéra	Núito	Owúye	Noimí	Himáki	Yéhmacunah	Nóitu	Nóitu	Nísu			66.
67.	Good	Cató	Mísare	Óco	Oá	Mehámihi	Anyóöni	Mátsia	Matcheradi	Dúari	Anétua	Yenií	67.
68.	Bad	Púshi	Pítseai	Eéñ	Uelrí	Méhouméhou	Mánii	Madsi	Matchídi	Mapho	Ónsubarlo		68.
69.	Hot	Sacú	Amóiri	Noré	Bicashiá	Boiúthi	Achtsínika	Hámuna	Heúmode	Tachuñ	Árte	Cathií	69.
70.	Cold	Erosanga	Ipíriri	Reréya	Bicashushága	Erhérwe	Yeughsianítsa	Hápaimum	Iwírde	Huméneni begu	Apatiwáli	Cafatené	70.
71.	Long	Pucú	Biáshiri	Meyé	Uadú	Oárwi	Yoánii	Uía	Iápide	Hulábi			71.
72.	Short	Iátuca	Adákiri	Erímo	Uawádu	Oárbowi	Youoúeh	Mandoáde	Madúadi	Hebúcati			72.
73.	Hard	Sañtañ	Tchítchiri	Cowní	Bicádya	Aahárwi	Búchtiniani	Tálha	Táradi	Capudh	Tépe		73.
74.	Soft	Mimbéca	Kidjáma	Coaná	Nilyiyúh	Arharméma	Cabínin	Helémi	Awíladi	Cusani	Urlrái		74.
75.	White	Murutínga	Áriri	Ahré	Borliéda	Bówi	Yietsísi	Harlégha	Yalanóui	Tikíne, Balíne	Árlu	Caátsi	75.
76.	Black	Pishúna	Tcháriri	Tuyí	Niiyá	Yeméhum	Yéntsi	Cadamah	Tapaíuna	Tapaiun	Ríre	Anuithi	76.
77.	Red	Piránga	Cáriri	Ahrí	Dianá	Uwówa	Tsuártsi	Íleh	Iréidi	Kíyun	Íre		77.
78.	Yellow	Itaúa	Ebári	Coetí	Ebó	Kilhiomí	Ewik	Éwa	Ewádi	Witun	Eiúlinare		78.
79.	One	Iapé	Apári	Comeéh	Tchudyú	Cuináki	Nekeú	Paíta	Cadúdi	Bucunákilhi	Yabibulim		79.
80.	Two	Mocoín	Matchámi	Paoó	Apadyú	Picano	Piána	Yamhémpa	Djámi	Micúnuma	Enábe		80.
81.	Three	Mosapúiri	Matsiáca	Keuyecopáh	Arayú	Nopécuno	Itiána	Mandárlipa	Madállipa	Tricúnumi	Yabebuli		81.
82.	Four	The Portuguese are used for these	Apuacápi	Cominó púh	Apaedyái	Youicuwéno	Bapalitína	Hepunípe	Manupéga nóuiki	Ualibucúbi	Yunúlibumítsi		82.
83.	Five		Adápui	Weuóri	Tchumupá	Napulipé	Nicumakína	Pemapacápi		Ualibucúbi	Pinawiáphi		83.
84.	Six		Etaípui	Pañinopúh	Tchurutchuarú	Apepelucouiní	Piámo penipána	Yemimamacábi		Bucunabicúbi	Pimiri		84.
85.	Seven		Apecápecapisi		Pahá	Pepeliapecouilími	Bapalati penipána	Yemimabacapilianúda		Bobadunabucubi	Yúmaliwi		85.
86.	Eight		Aiapéi aiapéi apaiápesi		Apamupá	Pepelicoloblicouilini	It’sa apenipána	Pehipelianúda		Casainabuacúbi	Piúrhuili		86.
87.	Nine				Apamuparéwa	(The same as eight)	Manamo apenipana	Paihipáwalianúda		Ualibacúbi	Pieírurwhi		87.
88.	Ten		Bitchicápesi		Tchewerá		Amamopipametína	Paihipawalianúda		Amakinneícubi	Picalaurwhili		88.
89.	Twenty		Beitchimacáni		Tchewerá		Mano deno dipopimeno	Yemawanalianuda		Amakinnaeiuesi	Itsiruápi		89.
90.	Give me	Erimehí	Bei nodiá	Etuwáni ere	Heouashú	Irihiárki	Yída óya	Piniúda	Pia nohíulni	Decaníko			90.
91.	Come here	Júri	Piúca náikeni	Ereiniáh	Uarishá	Daháki	A’tia	Pinú	Uátchi	Douáti	Maihipéta		91.
92.	Go	Icóin	Pipína	Imaraíu	Uaiashú	Ihánki	Teá	Piauégada	Pipitu	Bihíwa			92.
93.	Go fetch	Icoin piamo	Piátacuni	Irínecu	Uatá	Ikíluiaki	Miníta	Piteigúda	Pitiken cadja	Bihíwa hówa	Ripianati		93.
94.	Let us go fetch	Iaso ipiámo	Tcháubitacumi		Tchemeuacíu				Cadja piatchin	Bihiwa hoúa	Raioata		94.
95.	Have you water	Ai coe será i	Idjária puníni	Rií	Iasí deco	Kewaculimá	Kióti maur	Pidinénul	Utcháperi úni	Duca bicu úni	Ubeda piu weni		95.
96.	Have you farinha	Ai coe será oi	Idjaria cáou		Iasí bagaría				Utchaperi matchuca	Duca bicu matchuca	Ubeda pi matsuca		96.
97.	I am ill	Se ma ci	Eidiríkeno	Tcharichéouki	Bicuhpúnha	Ihiwudjúrni	Doáti wetsaá	Nucamia gúmahu	Cacálinapuhli	Nucu beheini			97.
98.	I am well	Se cató	Misabihano		Pulimeihóa				Matchiuphíha	Douulína			98.

APPENDIX.

VOCABULARIES OF AMAZONIAN LANGUAGES.