Matses Blowpipes by Shamans Market

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Matses Blowpipes

SKU:	si08-01
Product Size:	14.5 in., 20 in. and 20.75 in. L
Stock:	1 in stock
Availability:	Ships Now

Description:
Many cultures have used blowpipes, (also called blow tube, blow gun or blowdart gun), but various indigenous peoples of the South East Asia, Amazon and Guiana regions of South America are best known for its use. The darts are usually dipped in curare poison in order to paralyze the target. Each pipe is sold separately. Specify length when ordering. more info

Your Price: $39.00

Detailed Information:

The word Matsés comes from the word for people in the Matsés language. They are also known as the Mayoruna. The name Mayoruna comes from the Quechua language and means "water people." Brazilians refer to the Matsés people as Mayorunas, while Peruvians usually call them Matsés. Bows and arrows are the main weapons of the Matsés culture, generally only used for hunting animals. Historically, they used blowguns, similar to the Matis tribe of Brazil. Hunting proficiency with a blowpipe was considered a highly-respected male trait and to bring a woman meat is a big compliment.

Origin Information:

The Matsés Indians (commonly called Mayorunas in Brazil) are often affectionately referred to as the "cat people" due to the characteristic "whiskers" that women place in their noses. There are about 2200 Matsés living in the Yavarí Valley of Peru and Brazil, with the majority residing in Peru. The Matsés speak a language of the Panoan linguistic family that is closely aligned with the dialects that the Matis and Korubo Indians speak. The Matsés share many aspects of their culture with the Matis Indians, including medicinal plant use. Some Matsés know how to prepare neste or dauë (a medicinal bath for children) and bëcchëte (an eyewash for improving visual acuity) similar to the Matis Indians of Brazil. Matsés Indian facial tattoos consist of accentuated lines surrounding the mouth and extending along the cheeks to the base of the ears. Women wear ornaments made from the ribs of palm leaves in their noses to represent the whiskers of cats. In addition, sticks made from the shoot of caña brava are sometimes placed in a perforation of the skin below the lower lip of women. Formerly, men had perforations in their upper lips in which they placed spines from the ungurahui palm (Oenocarpus bataua). Commonly, a bright red dye (achiote), obtained from the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana) is applied to the face and body.

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