1920-22 Draft of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom – Page 312

Coyp. XXV "We" were like "ant-eater" men, never possessing "eater", "clothes" arose. They were destitute when the winter or "toro" invasion occurred to "tellen", and to the tip. Those became and "passed" - "pent", "shuns, and unsettle", "tangs" for only worn, things, "bird skin and day "for clothes - an "Watchus" (shaman coat) or "Yataccan" (rabbit skin blanket). "Oalaces" have it, too, but most wore "purch" at times, an "alahoor" at others, the rest sat up here, without anything, as "yaques" (women's dress aprons). "Conanas"(men, slang) and "cuairs" women and men dressed alike for not knowing. Twere no divisions between them, and the bodies were unconfined, except the waist; in the males it was naked, surrounded by a short "talonida" (loin cloth), a little snake or vige leaf or branch, grass or cords serving the purpose; for the females it was hidden in the same way, but they had a kind of "enviara" (skirt) hanging to the knee of palm leaves or interior bark of trees, which was changed once a week or as necessary (the branches they employed were of wild cotton or bark and not esparto). This was their outfit. At all times of the month. The others who daily frequented or assisted "orations", danced about a character, wore no article whatever. I noticed some Cuair women (wives of "yanaconas" or leading men) wore certain longer pieces or decorated the edges of these ornaments with colors and labors - as if for celebrations, yet the custom of not using them was usual. Garments were a hindrance. They had very simple hair-dos, neither cutting nor arranging it for the men or women - the men as well as the "curacas" (chiefs) wore it streaming long over the shoulders, down the back; the women had it falling unrestrained over the face, occasionally knotting it with vines; but more often tossed all loose. As it grew they clipped none of it. The curaca is a very lax and amicable man. I would not believe he was such except for seeing it with my own eyes, how little account he did make of his station; all treated him, approached him, seized him, pulled on him, derided him, and in a word went up to him as equal men. He was constantly surrounded by many courtiers and captains or elders, not at all observing ceremony or restraint in their bearing toward him, which I believe he had taught them. Some days he was wandering in the forests with them, hunting birds and other game, at others he went with them to till the soil for certain plants. He lived very simply and on natural food. And if small dishes or things were presented to him, he divided and shared them among those surrounding him. In his houses a constant watch was not kept over the servants and household - they became rather too familiar with his wives and daughters (or mistresses) and embraced and spoke with and approached them as intimately as if they were common women. The "peruchics" who are attendants and masters shared the same liberty and ease of movement with the curaca as the others. All the great and little in the land lived united in this way; no one of higher birth or rank exalted himself above the other, nor lowered himself, nor made himself separate with reverence and respect from the most humble. They were on an equality in conversation, sitting, moving, or standing, as if all of one level and position. There is little ambition and avidity for wealth. They are not extortionate nor miserly. They never acquire riches, but exchange everything among themselves and give away all they possess as soon as they have it. They trade with extreme facility, without the least constancy or attachment to their belongings, which are few. None possesses more than another. Their curaca is maintained by the tributes and taxes paid him, but these are immediately redistributed, nor is anything kept in store. All their wealth comes from the fields and gardens which they sow. For weapons when they went out to fight and to defend themselves, they had "macanas" or clubs, two or three bundles of "chuzos" (sharpened poles) tied together in a bundle, short lances and darts of the same like unto arrows with which they usually wounded each other at close range. A few wore small wooden shields into which were inserted the wing bones