Iraçéma: the Honey-lips, a Legend of Brazil/Chapter 24
CHAPTER XXIV.
It was customary amongst the race of Tupan for the brave to wear on his body the colours of his nation. They first traced upon the skin black lines like those of the Coaty,[1] whence came the name of the War-painting art. They also varied the colours, and many warriors were covered with emblems of their deeds.
The stranger having adopted the country of his spouse and his friend, was expected to pass through this ceremony in order to become a redskin warrior and a son of Tupan. With this intention Poty had provided for himself the necessary objects.
Iraçéma prepared the dyes, the Chief dipping in them the feathers, traced over the warrior՚s body the red and black lines, the Pytiguára colours. He then drew on his forehead an arrow, and said—
"As the arrow pierces the hard trunk, so the warrior՚s eye penetrates the soul of the people."
On the arm a hawk.
"As the Anajê swoops from the clouds, so falls the warrior՚s arm upon the enemy."
On the left foot the root of a palm tree.
"As the little root supports in the ground the lofty palm tree, thus the firm foot of the warrior sustains his frame."
On the right foot a wing.
"As the wing of the Majoy[2] cleaves the air, thus the fleet foot of the warrior has no equal in the race."
Iraçéma then took the feather-vane, and painted a leaf with a bee upon it: her voice murmured through her smiles―
"As the bee makes honey in the black heart of the Jacarandá, so sweetness is in the breast of the bravest warrior."
Martim opened his arms and lips to receive the body and soul of his wife.
"My brother is a great warrior of the Pytiguára nation. He wants a name in the language of his new country."
"The name of thy brother shall be called by whatever part of his body thou imposest thy hand upon."
"Coatyábo!" exclaimed Iraçéma.
"Thou hast said it. I am the painted warrior, the warrior of the wife and of the friend."
Poty gave to his brother the bow and the tomahawk, which were the noble arms of a brave. Iraçéma had prepared for him the plumes and ornamented belt worn by illustrious Chiefs.
The daughter of Araken fetched from the cabin the meats of the feast and the wines of the Genipapo and Mandioca. The warriors drank copiously and danced joyous dances. Whilst they revolved round the bonfires they sang songs of gladness.
Poty chanted.
"As the Cobra-Snake which has two heads and only one body, so is the friendship of Coatyábo and Poty."
Iraçéma took up the refrain.
"As the oyster which leaves not the rock until after death, so is Iraçéma joined to her husband."
The warriors chanted.
"As the Jatobá in the forest, so is the warrior Coatyábo between his brother and spouse; his branches entwine with those of the Ubiratan, and his shade protects the humble grass."
The fires of joy burnt until morning came, and with them lasted the Feast of the Warriors.
- ↑ Coaty, a small fox-like animal, a racoon, whose hide has a red ground with black stripes. Coatyara, he who paints; coatyá, to paint; coatyabo, he who is painted. History mentions the fact that Martim Soares Moreno painted and dressed like the savages of Ceará whilst he was living amongst them.
- ↑ Majoy, swallow.
This work is a translation and has a separate copyright status to the applicable copyright protections of the original content.
| Original: |
This work was published before January 1, 1931, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse |
|---|---|
| Translation: |
This work was published before January 1, 1931, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse |
