Page:Haiti- Her History and Her Detractors.djvu/29

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The Aborigines
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people consisted of clubs, arrows, and wooden spears the sharp ends of which were hardened by fire. Often they had to protect and defend themselves against the attacks of their insular neighbors, the Caribs (Caraibes), who were cannibals.

The people enjoyed dancing to the beating of a drum. There were no public or private festivities without such dancing and singing. On the whole they were kind, polite, and merciful. Their good qualities caused their ruin.[1]

  1. Emile Nau, in his work Caciques d'Haiti, gives a good idea of the habits of the aborigines.