OCR Text |
Show Indians Consume Ancestors' Bones Eating the bones of ancestors is one of the strange customs of Indian tribes in the wilds of Brazil. From 15 to 20 years after burial, the bones are disinterred, pounded to powder and mixed with the drink taken at certain festivals, apparently with the idea that the souls and power of the ancestors will be communicated to the bodies of the descendants. The men of these tribes are much finer in physique and grace of figure than the women, who are likely to be stumpy and small, Dr. William Montgomery Mont-gomery McGovern, English traveler and explorer, Is quoted in an interview inter-view published by the New York World. Deformed persons, however, are almost unknown. They are killed at birth, as also are twins, who are regarded as "evil things." Doctor McGovern says he found the native diet of monkey and red ants very nice, indeed. Ants taste like crisp bacon, while monkey is a cro,ss J between pork and chicken. |