Mundrucus. See [TUPI-GUARANI].
Mundus. See [NILITIC GROUP].
Mushi-Kongo. Bantu Negroes of Portuguese West Africa, still in an absolutely savage state.
Muskhogean, or Appalachian. A group of North American Indian tribes, formerly occupying the south-eastern corner of the present United States, south of Tennessee, and east of Arkansas. Formerly a powerful confederacy of warlike hunters, they are now extinct or confined to Indian reservations. The chief tribes are Alibamus, Apalachis, Chickasaws, Choktaws, Creeks or Muskhogees, and Seminoles.
Mycenæans. The inhabitants of ancient Mycenæ, one of the chief centres of prehistoric culture in Greece before the Homeric age. Recent excavations, at Mycenæ itself, at Cnossos in Crete, and other contemporary sites of government, have thrown light on the remarkable civilisation which then existed. The Mycenæans, Cretans, and their kindred peoples were probably a mixed Caucasic race, with affinities to the later Aryan Achæans and to the aboriginal Hamitic Pelasgians; but nothing is yet certainly known of their ethnological place.
Nagars. See [DARDS].
Nagas. Aborigines of the Naga Hills, in South Assam, semi-savage and formerly accustomed to raid the British provinces; now under British rule. They are of Tibetan stock.
Nahuans, or Mexican Indians. The aboriginal inhabitants of modern Mexico, whose history dates back to the sixth century. The oldest of the Nahuan races was that of the Toltecs, who established a civilisation marked by architectural and artistic monuments still existing, north of the valley of Anahuac. They were followed by the ruder Chichimecs and the [Aztecs] (q.v.). Other branches of the same race are the Pipils and the Niquirans of Nicaragua.
Naimans. (1) See [SHARRAS]. (2) A tribe of the Middle Horde of the Kazaks. See [KIRGHIZ].
Nairs. A Hindu tribe of Malabar, distinguished by their peculiar marriage customs. They practise polyandry, and a Nair’s property descends not to his own but to his sister’s children.