ripe and vnripe fruit and blossomes all at once contrarie to the nature of all other trees and euerie day as the blossomes fall whereby the earth vnder it seemeth to bee painted red there growe new on and when some of the fruite begin to grow then others are almost ripened and others being ripe are greater The tree being lightly shaken the ripe fruit falleth easily off by reaching the nether bowes This fruite is ordinarily eaten before other meate be set vpon the Table and also at all times of the day The Malabares and Canarijns call this fruite Iamboli the Portingales inhabiting there Iambos the Arabians Tupha Indi the Persians Tuphat the Turkes Alma the trees are called by the Portingales Iambeiro The blossomes and the fruite are conserued with Suger and are vsed for hotte Agues to câ—le mans thirst The trées whereon the Iambos do grow are as great as Plumtrees and verie like vnto them it is an excellent and a verie pleasant fruite to looke on as bigge as an apple it hath a red colour and somewhat whitish so cleare and pure that it seemeth to be painted or made of waxe it is very pleasant to eate and smelleth like Rose water it is white within and in eating moyst and waterish it is a most daintie fruite as well for bewtie to the sight as for the swéet sauour and taste it is a fruite that is neuer forbidden to any sicke person as other fruites are but are freelie giuen vnto sicke men to eate that haue a desire thereunto for it can doe no hurt The blossomes are likewise very faire to the sight and haue a swéet smell they are red and somewhat whitish of colour This trée beareth fruite thrée or foure tymes euery yeare and which is more wonderfull it hath commonly on the one side or halfe of the trée ripe Iambos and the leaues fallen off and on the other side or half it hath all the leaues and beginneth againe to blossome and when that side hath fruite and that the leaues fall off then the other side beginneth again to haue leaues and to blossome and so it continueth all the yeare long within they haue a stone as great and very néere of the same fashion as the fruite of the Cipres trée The 54. Chapter Of other fruites in India THere is a fruite called Iangomas which groweth on trées like Cherrie trées they are in bignes like smal rouÌ„d pluÌ„mes of a darke red colour they haue no stones in them but some small kernels they are of taste much like pluÌ„mes whereof there are very many but not much esteemed of The fruit Iangomas groweth on a tree not vnlike in greatnesse and fashion to our Plum trees as also in leaues and white blossoms saue onely that these trees are ful of Prickles or thornes they grow of them selues in euerie place also in gardens at Bachaim Chaul and Balequala the fruits are like Sorben smal and round they are harsh in the throat like Slowes or vnripe Plums and haue no stone within them but some small kernels when they come first out they are like Pistaccios The fruit being ripe must first bee brused and crushed with mens fingers before it can bee eaten yet it looseth thereby none of his vertue of binding and therefore they are thought good to stop the Flux withall although they are but little esteemed by the Indians They say that this fruite is eaten by certaine foules and being voyded out againe set in the ground together with the same Birdes dung it wil grow the sooner and be the fruitfuller There is an other fruite called Carambolas which hath 8 corners as bigge as a smal aple sower in eating like vnripe plums and most vsed to make Conserues The fruite which the Malabares and Portingales call Carambolas is in Decan called Camarix in Canar Camarix and Carabeli in Malaio Bolumba and the Persians Chamaroch It groweth on trees that are like Quince-trees hauing leaues greater and longer then our apple-trees verie greene and bitter of taste with small blossomes of fiue leaues a peece reddish without any white and of no speciall smel but faire to the eye and of taste like Sorrell The fruit is like a great Hondâ—s bey long and yellow and as if it were parted into foure parts the Coddes are somewhat deepe presse the fruite together in the middle they haue some small kernels which for the sharp tast are pleasant to eate This fruit is conserued in Suger much eaten in medicines and with meate The ripe are vsed for hotte Feauers in steede of Sirop of Vineger which wee vse in these countries The Canarijns vse the Iuyce with other medicines there growing which are mixed with it to make colours thereof wherewith they take spots and blemishes out of mens eyes Costa writeth that he knew a midwife in India which vsed this fruite dryed and beaten to poulder with Bettele leaues to make women to auoide their dead fruite out of their wombes this fruite is alâ—o kept in pickle because it is pleasing to the taste and procureth an appetite There are yet other fruites as Brindoijns Durijndois Iamboloeâ— Mangestains and other such like fruites but because they are of small account I thinke it not requisite to write seuerallie of them but onelie of two of them Fructuum Mangas Cajus Iambos Iaquas et Annanas qui in India nascuntur qui esusuaves et Zimziberis cujus e copia magna illic vilitas virentis viva imago Die fruyten die in Indien wassen en seer lieffelick zyn om te eten al 's Mangas Cajus Iambos Iaquas en Annanas met die Gember welcke om der menichte weynich geacht is affconterfeytinge naert leeven gelyck die staen en wassen The Barkes of these trées are kept and brought ouer sea hither and are good to make Vineger withall as some Portingales haue done Of the fruit called Iambolijns The trees that beare this fruit haue a barke like Lentiscus or the Mastick tree to the shew much like a Mirtle but in leaues like the Arbutus of Italy It groweth of it self in the wilde fields the fruit is like great ripe Oliues of Cordoua and harsh in a mans throate This fruite is little vsed by Physitions but is much kept in pickle and eaten with sodden Ryce for they procure an appetite to meate but this fruit as also Iaka is by the Indians not accounted among wholesome fruits There is also a fruite that came out of the Spanish Indies brought from beyond y e Philippinas or Lusons to Malacca froÌ„ thence to India it is called Papaios and is very like a Mellon as bigge as a mans fist and will not grow but alwaies two together that is male and female the male trée neuer yéeldeth any fruite but onely the female and when they are deuided set apart one from the other then they yéeld no fruite at all It is a trée of the hight of a man with great leaues
the Priests which answere the Priestes deliuered vnto the poople They do generally beleeue and tell that once there was a great floud whereby all the worlde was drowned onely a few persons that hidde themselues in certayne high hollow trées and hauing prouided victualles stopping the holes by that meanes saued themselues from the common misery of al mankind and that when thâ—se men thought the raine and waters to be gone they sent out two dogges who returning all wet backe againe they gessed the water not to be consumed and so thought it not time to goe foorth After that they sent the two dogges forth againe and perceiuing them to come home all dirtie they then knew the water to be gone and came foorth where they found great numbers of snakes which the slime earth had bred whereby they hadde worke enough to kill and destroy them They likewise say that the world shal be destroyed but not before there shal first come a great drought and in manner a burning of the ayre whereby the sunne and moone shal be darkened and taken away wherefore when there happeneth any Eclipses or darkenesses of the sunne or moone but specially of the sunne then they sing sorrowfull songs and make great mournings thinking the world shall be destroyed and that the end approcheth What are these but cloudes of their religion which the diuel in so great blindnesse could neuer driue out of these poore peoples hearts so that those of Brasilia beleeue the immortallitie of the soule and the Peruuians beleeue not onely the immortalitie of the soule but the resurrection of the body as it appeereth not onely by the manner of their graues but also by the request made by them vnto the Spaniardes when they opened their predecessors and Kings graues to take out the treasure desiring them not to take away or scatter the bones of the dead that they might not want them at their resurrection Touching the manner of their graues their Kings and Nobilitie are buried with great magnificence being set in seats within their graues apparelled with their best cloths one or two of their liuing wiues buryed with them being the fairest and such as in his life time hee loued best for the which when time serueth great controuersie riseth among the women which by the king in his life time is ordained and appoynted they bury likewise with him two or thrée of his seruauntes and much golde and siluer and the best they had also fruit bread maiz and such like things and which is more the last seruice the friendes doe for him is that with reedes or pipes they powre a certaine measure of theyr drinke called Cicha into the dead mannes mouth to this ende that hee may not want drincke before hee commeth into the other worlde in which his iourny he vseth that meate and the company of his wiues and seruantes which manner is vsed almost through all Peru and Mexico onely that euery one dooth more or lesse according to his estate but they vse most in Peru to burye liuing women which mischiefe sprang from the diuell that blinded them that at some time appeared vnto them in shape of those that were dead walking vpon the earth and women with him So great is the power and blindenesse of Sathan in the children of the vnbeleeuing In East India the diuell so wrought that hee got them to burne liuing women with the dead here in Peru hath perswaded them to bury liuing women with dead bodies They mourne many dayes for theyr dead and vppon the graue they place the Image of the dead person The common people and handiecraftesmen place something of their handiecraft vpon their graues and the souldier some kinde of weapon vsed in the warres whereby it may be seene who lyeth buried in that place So then the Peruuians pray vnto the Sunne and the Moone and acknowledge them for the highest gods and sweare by them as also by the earth which they esteeme to be their mother and if at anie time they speake with the diuell asking counsell and attending answere of him they did it more for feare they hadde to bee hurt by him than for any worshippe that they held and accounted the Sunne for the chiefe and highest God first it appeereth by many and so costly temples by them erected throughout al the kingdom of Peru as also by the answere of king Atabalida made to the Dominican Friar Vincentius de Valle Viridi after first Bishop of Peru who shewing him of the creation of the world by God and the redemption thereof by the death of Iesus Christ he answered him that no man made the world but onely the Sunne his god that died not as Christ did and said that he might beléeue in the crucified and dead Christ if it pleased him but for his part he would beleeue in his owne god and his Guacas which dieth not this Guacas were certaine stones that with weeping they honoured and called vpon Their maner of praying to the Sun THe Peruuian as I saide before had diuers great and sumptuous Churches of the Sunne in al places of the countrey many of them hauing the walls and Pillers couered and plated with gold and siluer with most costly stooles and benches and when the Prince Lords or Priests would desire any thing of the sunne they rise betime in the morning before the sunne riseth and get them vpon a high stone scaffold made for the purpose where holding downe their heades and with wringing and folding their hands and then presently lifting vp and spreading their armes as if they would receiue the Sunne into them they murmure certaine wordes shewing their requests and in the same manner they vsed to pray vnto the sunne since they were subdued they fal downe before the Spaniardes and desire them to be mercifull vnto them and not vtterly to destroy them in some places specially vnder the Line and thereabouts they placed the gates of their temples in the Est and couered them with certaine cotten linnen in euerie Church there stood two grauen Images of fashion like blacke Buckes before the which they kept a continuall fire of sweete wood which I thinke to be Cedar because the barke being taken off there issueth a certaine sweete gumme which is most excellent to preserue the bodyes of dead men and to the contrarie corrupteth the bodie of a liuing man Likewise there are in those Churches certaine Images of great Serpents which they pray vnto but this is only about the line in Peru and Cusco and not where they haue the Guacas which are stones about the which no man may come but onely the Priestes that are apparrelled al in white and comming to them they take in theyr handes certaine white cloathes and fal vppon the ground speaking to the Image in a strange speech because the common people may not vnderstand it Those Priestes receiue all the offerings that are giuen vnto the Idol burying the tenth part thereof in the
they spinne like yearne this yearne is to be sâ—ene at the house of Paludanus it is yealowish and is called the hearbe of Bengalen wherewith they do most cunningly stitch their couerlits pauilions pillowes carpets and mantles therein to christen children as women in childbed with vs vse to doe and make them with flowers and branches and personages that it is wonderfull to sée and so finely done with cunning workemanshippe that it cannot be mended throughout Europe likewise they make whole péeces or webbes of this hearbe sometimes mixed and wouen with silke although those of the hearbe it selfe are dearer and more estéemed and is much fayrer theÌ„ the silke These webs are named Sarrijn and it is much vsed and worne in India as well for mens bréeches as dublets and it may be washed like linnen and being washt it sheweth and continueth as faire as if it were new From Bengala commeth much Algallia or Ciuet but by the subtiltie and villany of the Bengalians it is falsifyed mixed with filth as salt oyle and such like stuffe whereby it is not much estéemed Also in Bengala are found great numbers of the beasts which in Latine are called Rhinocerotes and of the Portingalles Abadas whose horne téeth flesh blood clawes and whatsoeuer he hath both without and within his bodie is good against poyson and is much accounted of throughout all India as in an other place shall be shewed more at large There groweth likewise marble coloured Réedes whereof you may sée many sortes in the custodie of Paludanus which the Portingalles call Canas de Bengala that is Réedes of Bengala within they are full of pith and are about the thicknesse of Spanish réedes but somewhat thinner and when they are gréene they bowe and bend like Willow twigges they are outwardly of diuers colours and speckled as if they were painted They vse them in Portingall for olde women to beare in their handes when they goe abroad or vppon the stones There is another sorte of the same réeds which they call Rota these are thinne like twigges of Willow for baskets whereof Paludanus can shewe you great numbers with the which in India they make many faire baskets and a thousande other curious deuises Sugar Butter and such like ware they haue in great quantitie as I said before but this shall suffice for Bengala whereof we leaue to speake and returne to the description of the coast as it lyeth along the shore The 17. Chapter Of the coasts and lands of Aracan Pegu and Sian to the Cape of Singapura the towne and fortresse of Malacca BEyond the kingdome of Bengala beginneth the kingdomes of Aracan Pegu which coast stretcheth from Bengala south and by East to the town and hauen of Martauan in the land of Pegu and is 70. miles Martauan lyeth vnder 16. degrées from whence beginneth the kingdome or land of Sian these kingdomes of Aracan and Pegu are very rich fruitfull of all things besides Gold and precious stones as Rubies Espinels Saffires Iacinthes Emeraldes Granates and such like as it is well knowne by the great numbers that are dayly brought out of those countries into all places Likewise they make harde ware which is carried throughout the world There are greater number of Elephantes in those countries then in any other place of India or the Orientall countries the Portingalles that traffique there affirme that the king of Pegu hath a white Elephant which hee prayeth vnto and holdeth it to bée holy The Peguans haue a custome that when any stranger commeth into their land to deale and traffique with them of what nation soeuer he bee they aske him how long he meaneth to stay there and hauing tolde them they bring him many maides that of them he may take his choice and make contract and agrée with the parentes of the maid that liketh him best for the vse of her during his continuance there which done he bringeth her to his lodging and she scrueth him about all his affaires both by day by night like his slaue or his wife but hee must take heede that in the meane time hee keepeth not company with other women for thereby hee may incurre great daunger and stand in perill of his life When the time of his residence is ended he payeth the friendes or parents of the maid as much as he agreed for with theÌ„ which done he departeth quietly away and the maid returneth with credite home againe vnto her friendes and is as well estéemed of as euer she was before and if after that the same maide chance to marrie were it with the principallest of the Countrey and that the aforesaid stranger shold come to traffique in the same place againe hee may againe demand his woman and he shall haue her without resistance of her husband or any shame vnto him and she remaineth by the stranger as long as he abideth there and he trauelling from thence she goeth home againe vnto her husband which among them is holden for a most sure and inuiolable law Likewise when any gentleman or noble man will marrie with a maide hee goeth to séeke one of his friendes or a straunger and intreateth him to lie with his bride the first night of their mariage and to take her maydenhead from her which he esteemeth as a great pleasure honour done vnto him that another man wold take vpon him to ease him of so much payne This custome is not onely vsed among the Gentlemen and chiefe nobilitie of the lande but by the King himselfe Also diuers of the Peguans weare a bell vpon their yarde and some two as bigge as an Acorne which is made fast betweene the flesh and the skinne Of the like Belles Paludanus can shew you one which I brought out of India and gaue it him which bels haue a very sweet sounde This custome of wearing Belles was ordained by them because the Peguans in time past were great Sodomites and vsing this custome of belles it would be a meane to let them from the same The women go altogether naked onely with a cloth before their priuie members which as they go openeth vncouereth shewing all they haue which is by them ordayned to the ende that by such meanes it should tempt men to lust after women and to auoid that most abhominable accursed sinne of Sodomie There are likewise some among them that doe sowe vp the priuie member of their female children as soone as they are borne leauing them but a little hole to auoid their water and when she marrieth the husband cutteth it open and maketh it as great or as little as hee will which they with a certaine oyntment or salue can quickly heale I saw one of those women in Goa whom the Surgeon of my Mayster the Archbishops house did cut open men would iudge all these thinges to be fables yet they are most true for I doe not onely knowe it by the dayly trafficking of the Portingalles out of
Iland but they may fréelie vse them vpon the firme land and secretly in their houses thereby to shunne and auoid all occasions of dislike that might be giuen to Christians which are but newlie baptised but touching the worldly policie or good gouernement of the countrie and executing of iustice as also for the ruling of the townes men in the citie it is common to them all and they are vnder the Portingales law and he that is once christened and is after found to vse any heathenish superstitions is subiect to the Inquisition what so euer he be or for any point of Religion what so euer The Iland hath nothing of it self to nourish it withall but onely some cattle hennes goates doues c. but very fewe because of the barrennesse and euil situation of the place which is a most hillie barren and wild countrie and full of wast ground all their necessaries as beastes hennes hogges egges milke c. come from Salsette and Bardes but most part out of the firme land Corne Rice and other grayne also Oyle and all other necessaries come from other countries and are brought in by the Riuer as frō Cambaia on the North side and from the coast of Malabar and other places as in the description of the coast we haue in part declared of wyne called wyne of palme trées they haue inough and so much that they haue to spare for other places They haue but little fresh water but only one Well called Banganiin which stādeth about a quarter of a mile with out the Cittie wherewith the whole towne is serued which the slaues fetch in pots sel it in the towne and is verie good to drinke for water to dresse meat wash and doe other thinges withall they commonly haue Wels within their houses the land of it self is verie stonie and drie hauing a kinde of red earth so that some Italian Alchymistes haue promised to get Copper Gold out of the same which neither y e king nor Vice-roy would euer cōsēt vnto fearing least the report of such treasure would be occasion of greater troble vnto them by their enemies that are round about them through the desire that they haue of riches and therefore they haue deferred to séeke for it by the mappe hereafter following you may sée the situation of the Iland and Towne of Goa with all the stréetes Churches and places liuely described The 29. Chapter Of the customes of the Portingales and such as are issued from them called Mesticos or half countrimen as wel of Goa as of all the Oriental countries THe Portingales in India are many of them marryed with the naturall borne women of the countrie and the children procéeding of them are called Mesticos that is half countrimen These Mesticos are commonlie of yelowish colour notwithstanding there are manie women among them that are faire and well formed The children of the Portingales both boyes and gyrls which are borne in India are called Castisos and are in all things like vnto the Portingales onely somewhat differing in colour for they draw towards a yealow colour the children of those Castisos are yealow and altogether like the Mesticos and the children of Mesticos are of colour and fashion like the naturall borne Countrimen or Decaniins of the countrie so that the posteritie of the Portingales both men and womē being in the third degrée doe séeme to be naturall Indians both in colour fashion Their liuings and daylie traffiques are to Bengala Pegu Malacca Cambaia China and euerie way both North and South also in Goa there is holden a daylie assemblie or méeting together as wel of the Citizens and Inhabitants as of all nations throughout India and of the countries bordering on the same which is like the méeting vpō the burse in Andwarpe yet differeth much from that for that hether in Goa there come as well Gentlemen as marchants and others and there are all kindes of Indian commodities to sell so that in a manner it is like a Faire This méeting is onely before Noone euerie day in the yeare except Sondayes and holie dayes it beginneth in y e morning at 7. of the clocke and continueth till 9. of the clocke but not in the heate of the day nor after Noone in the principal stréete of the Citie named the straight stréete and is called the Leylon which is as much to say as an outroop there are certain cryers appointed by the Citie for y e purpose which haue of al things to be cryed and sold these goe all the time of the Leylon or outroop all behangd about with all sorts of gold chaines all kindes of costly Iewels pearles rings and precious stones likewise they haue running about them many sorts of captiues and slaues both men and women young and old which are daylie sould there as beasts are sold with vs where euerie one may chuse which liketh him best euerie one at a certaine price There are also Arabian horses all kinde of spices and dryed drugges sweet gummes and such like things fine and costly couerlets and many curious things out of Cambaia Sinde Bēgala China c. and it is wonderfull to sée in what sort many of them get their liuinges which euery day come thether to buy wares and at an other time sel them again And when any man dieth all his goods are brought thether sold to the last pennie worth in the same outroop who soeuer they be yea although they were the Viceroyes goods and this is done to doe right and iustice vnto Orphanes widdows and that it may be sold with the first where euerie man may sée it so that euerie yeare there is great quantitie of ware sold within that Citie for that there die many men within the Towne by meanes of their disordered liuing together with the hotenes of the coūtry the like assemblie is holden in all places of India where the Portingales inhabite There are some married Portingales that get their liuings by their slaues both men and women wherof some haue 12 some 20 and some 30 for it costeth them but little to kéepe them These slaues for money doe labour for such as haue néede of their helpe some fetch fresh water and sell it for money about the stréetes the women slaues make all sorts of confectures and conserues of Indian fruites much fyne néedle worke both cut and wrought workes and thē their maister send the fairest and the youngest of them well drest vp with their wares about the stréetes to sell the same that by the neatnes bewtie of the said women slaues men might be moued to buy which happeneth more for the affection they haue to the slaues to fulfill their pleasure with them then for any desire to the conserues or néedle workes for these slaues doe neuer refuse them but make their daylie liuing thereby and with the gaines that they by that meanes bring home their maisters may well kéepe and maintaine them There are others that
take their pleasure with their friends and the husband neuer know of it In which sort he continueth foure and twentie houres long but if they wash his féete with colde water hee presently reuiueth and knoweth nothing thereof but thinketh he had slept Deutroa of some called Tacula of others Datura in Spanish Burla Dora in Dutch Igell Kolben in Malaba Vumata Caya in Canara Datura in Arabia Marana in Persia and Turkie Datula Of the description of this hearbe and fruit you may read in the Herballes if any man receaueth or eateth but halfe a dramme of this feed hee is for a time bereaued of his wits taken with an vnmesurable laughter Virginis Lusitanae in India gestus et amictus Cleedinge en dracht van een Portugeesche Dochter ofte Maecht in Indien Matronarum et conjugatarum foras prodeuntium vestitus et ornatus Der Portugeesen gehoude Vrouwen habyt en cÿraet Viduarum Lusit amictus quem iterum nuptae deponunt resumpto nuptar habitu Cleedinge en dracht der Portugeescher We duwen welcke weder houwende afleggeÌ„ weder aen nemende der gehouder dracht Vestitus et comptus Mulierum cujus cunque ordinis et aetatis intra aedes Der Vrouwen cleedinge en hulsel binnen shuys van wat staet en ouder dom die zyn Lectuli quibus Vxores et Filiae Lusitanorum contecte gestantur Coetskens daer de Portugeesche Vrouwen en Dochters bedeckt in gedraegen worden Ratio qua coelo pluvio et alias Lusitanae gestantur comutantibus ante retro et utriumque famulis Mâ—aniere vandie Portugeesche vrouwen en dochters te draegen alst regent en oock op ander tyden met haer slaven en dienaers voor achter en besyden Lusitana templa noctu invisura comitata marito et servis Een Portugeesche vrouwe verselschapt met harc man en slaven des snachts die kercken besoeckende Cachunde in mâ— opinion is made of the mixtures called Galiae Moscatâ— with the sape of sweet wood they are blacke cakes whereon certaine characters are printed at the first very bitter of taste but in the end verie pleasant and sweet they streÌ„gthen the hart the mawe and make a sweet breath And they are not content therewith but giue their husbandes a thousand hearbs for the same purpose to eaâ—e they not knowing thereof thereby to fulfill their pleasuâ—es and to satisfie their desires which can not by any meanes be satisfied They are likewise much vsed to take their pleasures in Bathes by swimming therein which they can very well doe for there are very few of them but they would easilie swimme ouer a riuer of halfe a myle broad This shall suffice for their women now I will proceed to other matters And the better to vnderstand the shapes and formes of their women together with their apparell you may behold it here when they goe to Church and els where both wiues maids and widdows euerie one by themselues as also how they goe in their houses with their dish of Bettele in their hands being their daylie chawing worke also how they are carried in PallaÌ„kins through the stréet with their women slaues round about them also with their husbands and slaues by night going to anie sport or els to Church which they vse after y e maÌ„ner of pilgrimes for theÌ„ they go on foot whereby they thinke to deserue greater reward which by day is not permitted them for they are not so much trusted these visitatioÌ„s or night pilgrimages they hold estéem for a great recreation and fréedome for that they hope watch and looke for the same as children doe for wake-dayes and other playing times likewise the women slaues doe make some account thereof because they doe neuer go abroad but only at such times or to Church on festiuall dayes behind their Pallamkins vpoÌ„ the which dayes they aduertise their louers and leaue their mistresses in the Churches or slip into some shoppe or corner which they haue redie at their fingers endes where their louers méet them and there in hast they haue a sport which done they leaue each other and if she chance to haue a Portingal or a white man to her louer she is so proud that she thinketh no woman comparable vnto her and among themselues doe bragge thereof and will steale both from master mistresse to giue them with the which manie Soldiers doe better maintaine themselues then with the kinges pay and if it chaunceth that these slauish women be with child they are their maisters children who are therwith very wel content for so they are their captiues but if the father be a Portingale or some other frée man when the childe is borne he may within 8 dayes challenge it for his paying the maister a small péece of money for it as much as by law is thereunto ordemed and so the child shall euer after be frée but not the mother but if he stay aboue 8 or 10 dayes and within that time no man cometh to challenge it although it be a free mans child and he after that shall come to aske it then it is the mothers maisters slaue and he may hold it at as high a price as pleaseth him without constraint to sell it and it falleth out verie little or else neuer that the mother destroyeth her child or casteth it away or sendeth it to the father be she neuer so poore free or captiue for they delight more in their children and take more pleasure in carrying them abroad specially when it is a white mans child then in all the riches of the world and by no meanes will giue it to the father vnlesse it should be secretly stollen froÌ„ her and so conueyed away The nursing and bringing vp of the Portingales Mesticos children is that from the time of their birth they are kept naked onely with a little short shyrt like the womens Bain which they weare about their bodies and nothing else till they be of yeares to weare breches or other clothes Some of them are nurssed by their slaues and some by Indian women which they hire whose shape and forme you may sée following the Palamkin wherein the wife is carried euen as they goe bearing their children The 32. Chapter Of the Viceroy of Portingall and of his gouernment in India EVerie 3. yeares there is a new Viceroy sent into India and some time they stay longer as it pleaseth the King but verie few of them hee continueth in Goa which is the chiefe Cittie of India where he hath his house and continuall residence and from thence all other townes in India haue their direction and gouernment From Goa euerie yeare the Portingall armie is prepared and sent out as I said before he hath his counsell Nobles Chancerie and Iustices as they vse in Portingall and all lawes and Iustice are by him executed and fulfilled in the Kings namâ— yet if there be any matter of importante which concerneth the Ciuill lawes they may appeale to Portingall but in
rents of the Portingales the Kings reuenewes in the land of Bardes Salsette and the Island of Goa so that often times for any question or strife they must appeare in law where they alwaies come without Counsellor or Atturney and knowe so well how to place their words according to the lawes of Portingall not onely temporall but spirituall that they are able to set downe and shew where it standeth written as well as any Counsellor could doe make their petitions requests without any mans aduise that the Portingales doe wonder at their readie wits as I haue oftentimes found in them When they are to take their othes to beare witnes with any man they are set within a circle made of ashes vpon the pauement where they stand still laying a fewe ashes on their bare heades holding one hand on their heads the other on their breasts and then in their own spéech sweare by their Pagode that they wil tell the truth without dissimulation whatsoeuer shall bee asked them for that they certainely beleeue they should be damned for euer if as then they should not say the truth but conceale it These are their principall customes and ceremonies yet are there many others which for breuity I omit The 39. Chapter Of the Canarijns and Corumbijns of India THe Canarijns Corumbjins are the Countrimen and such as deale with tilling the land fishing such like labors to get their liuings look vnto the IndiaÌ„ Palme trées whereon the Cocos doe grow There are some among them that doe nothing els but wash cloathes which is there vsed like another occupation they are called Maynattos there are others that are called Patamares which serue onlie for Messengers or Posts to carie letters from place to place by land in winter time when men can not trauaile by sea These Canarjins and Corumbjins are the most contemptible and the miserablest people of al India and liue very poorely maintaining theÌ„selues with little meate They eate all kinde of things except Kine Oxen Buffels Hogs and Hens flesh their religion is like the Decanijns and Canâ—ras for they are all of one Countrie and custome little differing they goe naked their priuie members onely couered with a cloth The womeÌ„ go with a cloth bound about their middles beneath their nauels and hanging downe to the middle of their thighes and the other end thereof they cast ouer their shoulders wherby halfe their breasts are couered They are in a manner blacke or of a darke browne colour many of them are Christians because their chiefe habitation and dwelling places are on the Sea side in the countries bordering vpon Goa for that the palme trées doe grow vpon the Sea coasts or vpon y e bankes by riuer sides The rice is sowed vppon low ground which in winter time is couered with water wherewith those Canarijns doe maintaine themselues these bring hennes fruit milke egges and other such like wares into the towne to sell They dwell in little straw houses the dores whereof are so low that men must créepe in and out their houshold stuffe is a mat vpon the ground to sléepe vpon and a pit or hole in the ground to heate their rice in with a pot or two to féeth it in and so they liue and gaine so much as it is a wonder For commonly their houses are full of small children which crall and créepe about all naked vntill they are 7. or eight yeares old then they couer their priuie members When the Women are readie to trauaile with Childe they are commonly deliuered when they are all alone and their husbands in the fieldes as it fortuned vppon a time as I and some other of my friends went to walke in the fieldes into the villages where the Canarijns dwell and hauing thirst I went to one of the Canarijns houses to aske some water therewith to refresh vs which they commonly drinke out of a Copper Canne with a spout thereat to drinke without touching it with their mouthes which is all the mettell they haue within their houses because I was verie thirstie I stooped downe and thrust my head in at the doore asking for some water where I espied a woman alone within the house tying her cloth fast about her middle before her hauing a woodden trough by the Portingales called Gamello full of water where she stood and washed a childe whereof as then she had newly bin deliuered without any help which hauing washt she laid it naked on the ground vpon a great Indian figge leafe and desired mee to stay and shee would presently giue mee water When I vnderstood by her that she had as then newly béene deliuered of that Child without any help I had no desire to drink of her water but went vnto another to aske water and perceiued the same woman not long after going about her house as if there had bin no such matter and the children are brought vp in that manner cleane naked nothing done vnto them but onely washed and made cleane in a little cold water and doe in that sort prosper and come vp as well as man would wish or as any child within these countries can do with all the tending they haue liue many times vntill they be a hundreth yeares old without any headach or toothach or loosing any of their téeth They weare onley a tuske of haire on the toppes of their heads which they suffer to grow long the rest of their haire is cut short they are very expert in swimming and diuing they row vp and downe the Riuers in boates called Almadias whereof some of theÌ„ are hewen out of a péece of wood and so narrow that a man can hardly sit in them and it chanceth oftentimes that they turne ouer ouer twice or thrice before they passe the riuer and then they leape out into the water and turne them vp and so powring out the water they get into them again They are so miserable that for a penny they would indure to be whipped and they eate so little that it séemeth they liue by the aire they are likewise most of them leane and weake of limmes of little strength very cowardes whereby the Portingales doe them great outrage and villanie vsing them like dogges and beasts In their mariages and deathes they obserue the manner of the Decanâ—ins Canaras as also in their religion ceremonies When the man is dead his body is burnt and the woman cuts her haire off and breaketh all her Iewels although they be but few small for they are most of glasse By the pictures following you may see the Decanijns or Canaras or the Marchantes of Goa also the Banianes or Gusurates of Cambaia with the Bramenes his wife in what sort all the women doe goe as wel Benianes as Decaniins Moores Indian women that inhabite the countrie How those of Goa and Ballagate kéepe their weddings among the Decaniins and Canaras with the manner how the
liuing women burne themselues with their dead husbands what estate the Embassador of Hidaleam holdeth in Goa how he is caried in the stréets also a true description of the Canariin with his wife the manner how the Indian heathenish children are brought vp also of the soldier of Ballagate which is called Lascariin with the heathenish whore called Balliadera who is a dancer because shee is commonly vsed therevnto in any feast or open playes are ready to be hired for a small péece of mony whereof many of theÌ„ dwell in Goa with the maner of the dwellings houses of the Decaniins Canariins Corumbiins how they row in the riuers with their scutes whereby I haue placed the maner of the boats vsed by those of the Malabares in Cochin so that I shall not néede to make a seuerall Chapter of them by themselues The 40. Chapter Of the Arabians and Abexiins dwelling in India THere are many Arabians Abexiins in India The Arabians obserue Mahomets law the Abexiins some are Mahometans some christians after their manner for they are of Prester Iohns land which stretcheth behind Mosambique in Aethiopia vnto the red sea and the riuer Nilus in Egypt and by their common traffique and conference with the Moores and Mahometans there are diuers of them infected with the same sect There are many of them in India that are slaues and captiues both meÌ„ and women which are brought thether out of Aethiopia sold like other Oriental Nations the Abexiins that are christians haue on their faces 4. burnt markes in manner of a Crosse one ouer their nose in the middle of the forehead betwéene both their eyes on each of their chéekes one betwéene their eies and their eares and one vnder their neather lip downe to the chin and this is their Baptisme when they are made Christians which they vse in stead of water These Abexiins and Arabians such as are frée doe serue in al India for saylers and sea faring meÌ„ with such marchants as saile from Goa to China Iapon Bengala Mallaca Ormus and all the Oriental coast for that there they haue no other saylers nor there are no other because the Portingalles although they serue for Saylers in the Portingalles shippes that come into India and haue neuer bene other in Portingale but Saylers yet are they ashamed to liue in that order and thinke it a great discredite vnto them together with a great diminishing of their authorities estimations which they account themselues to hold in India so that they giue themselues out for maisters of shippes and by their captaines are also called Pilots and chief Botesonnes but not lower for if they should descend but one step lower it would be a great blot and blemish vnto them all their liues after which they would not indure for anie thing in the world These Abexijns and Arabians serue for small money and being hyred are verie lowlie and subiect so that often times they are beaten and smitten not as slaues but like dogs which they beare very patientlie not once speaking a word they coÌ„monlie haue their wiues and children with them in the shippe wherein they are hyred which continually stay with them what voyage soeuer they make and dresse their owne meat which is Rice sodden in water with salt fish among it The cause why the women sayle in the ship is for that in Summer and not else their shippes goe to sea wheÌ„ they alwayes haue calme water and faire weather with good windes they haue commonlie but one Portingale or two for Captaine maister and Pilote and they haue a chief Boteson which is an Arabian which they cal Mocadon and he is ruler of the Arabians Aberijns that are saylers whome he hath vnder his subiection euen as if they were his slaues or subiects This Mocadon is he that conditioneth and maketh bargaine with the owners of the ship to haue so manie saylers and he receiueth the monethlie money for their wages and accounteth with the saylers particularlie but for gouernment of the ship he hath not to doe neither troubleth himselfe therewith The shippes when they sayle vse no caske for water because there is not any throughout all India nor any made there saue onely such as come out of Portingall and vsed in the Portingall shippes but in stéed of pypes they vse a great foure cornered woodden cesterne y t staÌ„deth by the main maste at the very foote therof vpon the keele of the shippe which is verie well pitched and made fast wherein they lade as much water as they thinke will serue them for their voyage The captaine maister or Pilote Marchants and passingers haue euerie man their meat by themselues and their water in great Indian pots called Martauans whereof in y e description of Pegu I haue alreadie spoken These people are so seruiceable and willing to doe any thing that if there chanceth but a hat or any other thing to be blowen ouer or fall into the water they will presently leape cloathes and all into the sea to fetch it again for they swimme like fishes when the ships lie within the hauen or riuer and that they will all goe on land then they goe into the boate and so row to shore which done one of them roweth backe againe with the boate which he tyeth fast to the ship and swimmeth to land and when they will goe abord again if any of the saylers be vnwilling to swimme to fetch the boate they are by the Mocadon or the maister with strokes compelled to doe it but they coÌ„monlie neuer stay till it cometh so â—arre but rather striue who shall be first in the water to shew their diligence and when they doe any thing abord as hayling ropes and other things they sing answere each other very sweetlie so y t it séemeth to be very good Musick Their exercise on land is all the day to drinke and to sit in tipling houses with their wiues and children and then they goe hand in hand through the stréets réeling here and there making a great noise with singing and gaping after their manner there womeÌ„ weare breeches like the Arabians and Mahometans The 41. Chapter Of the blacke people of Mosambique which are called Caffares and of their manners and customes THe black people or Caâ—fares of the land of Mosambique and all the coast of Ethiopia and within the laÌ„d to the Cape de bona SperaÌ„za go al naked although those of Mosambique that is the women do a little couer themselues which they do by meanes of the daylie conuersation they haue with the Portingales who for Gold siluer and Iuory bones and such like doe exchange Cotton lynnen brought out of India that within the land and to the cape they vse in those countries otherwise they couer themselues with the like apparell that Adam and Eua did weare in Paradice They are all as black as pitch with curled and singed hayre both on their heads and beards
afraide of gunne shot and of fire vnlesse by length of time they be vsed vnto them When they haue the companie one of the other the male Elephant standeth vpon the higher ground and the female somewhat lower As they goe along the way although you see them not you may heare them a farre off by the noyse of their féet and clapping of their eares which they coÌ„tinually vse They are as swift ingoing almost as a horse and are very proud and desirous of honour When there is any great feast or holiday kept in Goa with solemne procession commonly the Elephants go with them the yong before and the old behind and are all painted vppon their bodies with the Armes and Crosses of Portingall haue euery one fiue or six trumpetters or players vpon the Shalmes sitting vppon them that sound very pleasantly wherewith they are as well pleased and goe with as great grauitie and in as good order as if they were men It hapned in Goa that an Elephant shuld draw a great fust out of the water vnto the land which fust was so great and heauie that hee could not doe it alone so that they must haue another to help him whereupon the keeper chid him vsing many hard wordes saying that he was idle and weak and that it would be an euerlasting shame for him that they must fetch another to helpe him wherewith the Elephant was so desperate that he thrust away his fellow which was brought to help him and begâ—n freshly againe to draw with so great a force more then hee was well able to doe that with extreame labour hee burst and fell downe starke dead in the place At such time as I was to make my voyage froÌ„ Cochin to Portingall the Rudder of our ship was out of order so that it must of force be brought on land to make it fit againe and so it was drawn to the riuer side at the sterne of the boat which the Elephant should draw on land vppon two bordes that it might slide vp and because it was heauie as the Rudder of a ship of 1400. or 1600. tunnes requireth as also that the Elephant was as yet but yong and not growne to his ful strength so that he could not draw it out alone yet he did the best hee could but seeing hee could not doe it he fell on his fore legges and began to crie and weepe that the teares ran out of his eyes and because many of vs stoode vpon the shore to behold this sight the kéeper began to chide him and with hard words to curse him because he shamed him thus in presence of so many men not to be able to draw vp such a thing but what strength or labour soeuer the Elephant vsed he could not doe it alone but when they brought another Elephant to help him they both together drewe it halfe out of the water so that it lay partly vppon the bordes The first Elephant perceiuing that with his head and teeth thrust the other Elephant away and would haue no more helpe but drew it out himselfe whereby it may bee considered that they are in vnderstanding and desire of commendation like vnto men They are likewise very thankefull and mindfull of any good done vnto them When new yeares day coÌ„meth their kéepers vse of coÌ„mon custome to aske new yeres gifts of the Viceroy the Archbishop and other gouernours and Gentlemen and then the Elephants come to the dore and bow their heads downe and when any thing is giuen they knéele on their knees with great lowlinesse and thankefulnesse for the good déedes so done vnto their keepers which they thinke to bee done vnto themselues They vse as they passe by such houses to bow their heads at the dores as also when they passe by the Church doores and by Crosses which their Masters teach them They haue a custome that they goe often into the market where herbes are sold as Reddish Lettice Colworts and such like stuffe and those that are liberall to the Elephant doe vse to throw something before him Among the rest there was one Hearb wife which alwaies vsed to throw something of her wares before the Elephant Now wheÌ„ the time came on that the Elephant groweth mad as I said before they vse to goe with them thrée or foure dayes or a weeke about the stréets before they bind them vp beeing as then but halfe mad to ask something of euery body for the féeding of the mad ElephaÌ„t in the winter time And going thus about the stréetes the master is not able to rule him for hee runneth about with his head downeward and by his roaring giueth the people warning to beware and when he findeth or séeth no man hee leapeth and ouerthroweth whatsoeuer he méeteth withall whereby heâ— maketh great sport and pastime much like to the baiting of Oxen in Spaine which neuer ceaseth vntil one two or more of them be slaine the like rule is kept with the mad Elephant in India It chanced in this running about that the Elephhnt ran through the stréets and in haste at vnwares came into the market throwing downe all that was in his way whereat euery man was abasht and leauing their ware ranne to saue themselues from being ouer run by the Elephant and by meanes of the noyse and prease of people they fell one ouer another as in such cases is commonly seene Among them was this woman that alwaies vsed to giue the Elephant some thing to eat which had a little childe in the market lying by her in a basket and by the hastie rising vp and throng of the people the woman ran into a house not hauing time to snatch vp her Child and take it with her and when the Elephant was alone in the market place where he roared vp and downe ouerthrowing all thinges that were before him hee came by the child that as I said lay still in the market and as euery man looked specially the mother which cried out verily thought that the Elephant had taken it and cast it on his shoulder and spoiled it as he did all other thinges Hee on the contrarie notwithstanding all his madnesse béeing mindfull of the good will and liberalitie of the childes mother dayly vsed vnto him tooke vp the child handsomlie and tenderly with his snout and layde it softly vpon a stall by a shop side which done hee began againe to vse the same order of stamping crying and clapping as he had done at the first to the great wondering of al that beheld it specially to the ease and ioy of the mother that had recouered her child sound and well againe These and such like examples do often happen in India which would be too long to rehearse and therfore I thought good onely to set these thrée or foure before your eyes as things worthy memorie thereby to teach vs to bee mindfull of all good déeds done vnto vs and with thankfulnes to requite them considering that these
not to bee credited but verie bolde and valiant in armes and in the warres wherein they vse bowes and arrowes whereof the shafts are made of hartes goates or skinnes finely painted and so cunningly wrought that in these countries they cannot be mended and in steede of heades they take fishes teeth or sharp peeces of wood they exercise their boyes in leaping shooting in bowes and playing with balles they haue great delight in hunting and fishing their kings holde continuall warres not sparing any of theyr enemies if they ouercome them but presently cutte off theyr heades to bee no more troubled with them which comming home they set vp in certaine places for a triumph and victory Women and children they will not hurt but keepe and nourish them among them and returning from theyr warres they call all theyr subiects together where for the space of three dayes they doo nothing but banket and make good cheere with singing and dauncing To the olde women that are among them they giue the skinne and the haire of the heades of their enemies that are cutte off compelling them to daunce and sing songs in prayse and thanksgiuing to the Sunne as hauing by his meanes obtained victorie They haue no Religion nor any knowledge of the true and liuing God but in steede of him as other Americans they honour the Sunne and the Moone They feare theyr Priestes and put great credite in them because they are great coniurers southsayers and inuocaters of Diuelles which by most feareful meanes they cause to appeare Their priestes are likewise theyr phisitions and surgeons for the which cause they vse continually to beare a sacke full of hearbes and salues to heale theyr sicke people with for the most parte haue the pocks as beeing verie hot of nature and much addicted to lecherie whereby often times they vse women maydes children and Boyes Euerie man hath but one wife onely the king to whome it is permitted to haue twoo or three but with this condition that the first hee marrieth shall bee honoured before the rest and onely holden for Quéene and her children to inherite his goods and to be heires of the crowne The women doo al the worke about their houses and when they are once with child their husbands neuer deale with them vntill they be deliuered and eate no meate of their dressing at such time as they haue their flowers Besides this al the countrey is ful of Flermophroditers which of nature are both man and woman those are kept to labour and to carrie their munition and weapons when they go to warres they paint their faces and put certaine birds feathers into their haires thereby to seeme the fairer and more fearful Their prouision of virtuals is bread and Meele of wheate and hony they rost their Meele of Maiz because it may continue the longer cause some broiled fish dried to be carried with theÌ„ In time of dearth they eate many bad things putting sande and coales among their meale When they go to warres the king goeth first hauing in one hand a staffe in the other a bow with arrowes in a case hanging on his shoulder the rest follow him with bowes and arrowes either in cases or else stucke in their haire at their meeting with the enemie and also in fight they vse great and fearefull cries like other Barbarians Turkes and Tartarians They neuer beginne war before they haue taken counsell together meeting about it in the morning in which their assemblies they vse a very strange custome which is to be noted for that being assembled they lette themselues downe on both sides of the king in maner of a half Moone the king sitting alone in the middle of them vppon a stoore made of nine peeces of round wood higher then the rest that hee may bee knowne which done they come and do him honour saluting him the oldest beginning first and lifting their handes aboue theyr heades speake and say Ha He. Ya Ha Ha the rest answering Ha. Ha which done each man sitteth downe And if there be any matter of great importance to bee handled the king causeth the priests by them called lauas and the auncients to be sent for asking their aduice meane time he causeth certain women to seethe Cacinam which is a certain drink prest out of leaues which being sodden and clarified the king being set with his Lords others each man in his place there commeth one in presence of them all and lifting vp his hands and blessing and wishing them al good lucke filleth a cuppe of mother of pearle ful of that hot drinke which he first presenteth to the king which hauing drunke he willeth him giue it to the rest This drinke they make great aâ—câ—at of and giue it not to any man that sitteth in councell before he hath shewed some valiant act in the fielde against the enemie which drinke is of such force that presently after they haue drunke it 〈◊〉 maketh them sweate and such as drinke it 〈◊〉 it vp againe are not imployed in an great affaires nor may not serue as Captaine or other officer in the fielde as being vnfit for such a place for that when they are in the field they must of force often times fast two or three dayes together to the which ende this drinke is verie good for that whosoeuer drinketh it may wel fast foure and twentie houres after and neither eate nor drinke wherefore when they go to warre they cause the Hern oâ— hrediter to carry diuers bottles of that drinke with them which sustaineth feedeth and strengthneth the body not once making their headesâ—le nor light They sow their wheate twice euerie yeare that is in the moneths of March and Iune all vpon our land in three moneths being ripe and readie to reape The other sixe moneths they let the earth he vntitled they haue very great Pumptans melons very good beanes they neuer dung their ground but burne off the Stubble which in the sixe monethes consumeth and with those ashes fatten the ground as they do us some places of Italy they plow and dig vp their ground with a woodden spit or shouel and throw two or three graines of wheate into one hole as wee vse to set beanes or pease when their corne is to be sowed the king sendeth one of his seruants to assemble the people that they may plow and dig the earth and then causeth much of the aforesaide drinke to be made to giue it to the labourers The wheate being reaped they carrie it into a common barne or place made for the purpose whereof euerie man according to his desert hath a parte They sow no more then necessarily wil serue keeping the rest to serue theÌ„ for the six months wherein they sow not and for longer time they prouide not also euerie yeare in winter time they withdraw themselues into the woods for three or foure moneths together continuing there in certaine places made of Palme tree branches meane time feeding
string hiding their members therein or in a Snakes shel the rest of theyr bodies are al naked Thus much for the customes and manners of Curiana Betweene the Cape of Saint Roman and Golfo Triste lieth Core Taratara and P. Secco From Golfo Triste to Cariari are a hundred miles the coast lying vnder tenne degrees betweene them lieth manie hauens and riuers specialy Puerto di Canna Fistola P. Fleâ—chado that is the point where they were shotte at with arrowes Punto Muerte the dead hauen Cabo de Ioan Blanco the cape of Iohn White Cabo la Colhera Rio Dunari Illa de Pirico Maracapana Chelheribiche St. Fee that is holy Faith Rio de Cumana Punta D'araâ—a Câ—mâ—â— and Maracapana along by the coasts aforesaid lie many Islands as Moines that is the Isle of Moonks Quiracao Buenaire Good Ayre Rocques or Roca Stone Rockes de Aues the Birds Tortuga Torteaux and then Cubagna or Margaritha the Isle of Pearles A certaine description of Maracapana and Cumana CVmana signifieth a Prouince and a Riuer wherin there is a towne and a cloister of grey Friers because of the great numbers of pearles that are found thereabouts The people of this countrey went naked onely that they couered their members eyther in a gorde or Snakes shels or else with bandes of reedes or cotton wooll in wars they weare mantles and decke themselues with feathers at feasts and bankets they paint themselues or else stroke themselues ouer with certaine gum and salues that be clammy wherein they sticke feathers of all colours which is no ill sight they cut their haire aboue their eares and if any haire grow vpon their knees or on their faces they pul them out and will haue no haire vpon any place of their body although they are by nature most of them without beards or haire and such as let their haire grow after the Spanish manner they call them beasts these people make great meanes to make their teeth blacke and such as haue them white they esteeme them to be women because they take no paines to make them blacke which they do with the powder or sap of a certaine hearbe by them called Hay or Gay which leaues are very soft like turpentine leaues and in fashion like Mortella being of the age of 15. yeers and that their courages began to rise they begin to beare those leaues in their mouths and to chaw them vntil their teeth become as blacke as coles which blacknesse continueth vntill they die which likewise preserueth the teeth from rotting spoyling or any paine they mire the powder of that leafe with another sort of powder of a kinde of wood and with chalk of white shells burned in which sort those of the East Indies vse their betele and Arrecca with chalke of oysters which is already declared in the description of the East Indies the powder of these leaues woodde and chalke they beare continually in their mouthes still chawing it which they keepe in basketts and boxes made of reedes to sel and barter the same in the markets round about them for gold slaues and cotten and for other wares al the maides goe naked only they weare certaine bandes about their knees which they binde very hard that their hips and thighes may seeme thicke which they estéeme for a beauty the married women weare shooes and liue very honestly and if they commit adultery they are forsaken by their husbands punished The lords and rich men of the country haue as many wiues as they list and if any man come to their houses to lodge they giue them one of the fairest to lie by them the rest haue but one and some none the women till the land and looke to the house and the men not being in the warres doe fish and hunt they are highminded reuengeatiue and hastie their chiefe weapons are poysoned arrowes which they prepare in diuers maners as with the blood of snakes the iuice of hearbes and mixtures of many other things whereby there is no means to heale such as are once wounded therewith The children women and men from their youth vpwards learne to shoote in bowes their meate is horsleaches battes grashoppers creuishes spiders bees and rawe sodden and rosted lice they spare no liuing creature whatsoeuer but they eat it which is to be wondered at considering their country is so wel replenished with good bread wine fruite fish and all kinde of flesh in great aboundance whereby it commeth that these people haue alwaies spots in their eyes or else are dimme of sight which some notwithstanding impute to the propertie of the water in the riuer of Cumana they close their gardens or lands with cotteÌ„ yarne by them called Bexuco placing it about the height of a man and among them it is accouÌ„ted for a great offence if any man should venter either to climbe ouer or creep vnder that cotten holding for certaine that whosoeuer doth teare it shal die presently after it The men of Cumana as I said before are much giuen to hunting wherein they are verie skilful They hunt and kil Lions Tigers Goates Ileren Hogs and al other kinde of foure footed beasts which they kil with bowes or take with nettes There are likewise in these prouinces many verie strange beasts part whereof are alreadie described and part not he therefore that desireth further instruction heerein let him reade the Spanish historiografers that write larger The women as I said til the ground sow Maiz and all kinde of corne plant Batates and other trees watering them specially the Hay wherewith they make their teeth blacke they plant trées which being cutte there issueth a white liquour like milke which changeth into a sweete gumme verie good to smell vnto They plant likewise other trees called Guareâ—ma whereof the fruit is like a Mulberie but somewhat harder whereof they make a certaine kinde of sodden Must which healeth colde and out of the wood of the same tree they make fire They haue another kind of high and sweete smelling trée which seemeth to be Cedar whereof the wood is verie good to make chests cases by reason of the sweetnesse of the wood good to keep things in but putting bread into them it becommeth so bitter that it is not to be eaten the wood is likewise good to make ships for that it neuer consumeth in the water by wormes or any other meanes There are other trees from whence they haue lime wherewith they gette birdes and annoint their bodyes therewith wherein they stick feathers The land of it selfe bringeth forth Cassia but they eate it not neither knowe how to vse it There are so many Roses and sweete flowers in that countrey that the smel thereof maketh mens heades to ake in smel exceeding muske wormes as grashoppers Caterpillers and such like there are verie manie which destroy the seed There are likewise vains of sea coles burning like pitch whereof they make great profite Thus much concerning the fruitfulnesse of the countrey their
coast from the riuer of Maragnon to Cabo de S. Augustin is as followeth first an Island called Isla de S. Sebastian Acencâ—o Ascension P. de Pracell the hauen of Bankes P. de Corrientes the hauen of the Streame Rio de Ilâ—ieo the riuer of y e Islands Costa Branca the white coast Rio de Coroa the riuer of the Crowne Cabo del este the Easter coast Rio des Lixos the riuer of filth Rio dos Reciffes the riuer of cliffes Rio S. Miguel the riuer of saint Michael Bahya dos â—ortugos the Riuer of Torteeux Grand Bahya the great Bay Cabo de S. Roque the point of S. Roche Cabo de S. Raphael the poynt of S. Raphael Baya de Traicam the Bay of Treason Paraiba os Petiguares Pernambuco the Cape of S. Augustin was discouered in An. 1500. by Vincentio Ianes Pinzon in the first month of the yeare Brasilia NOw followeth the East prouince of America or of Peruana commonly called Brasil the which was most discouered by the Portingales and by them subdued and brought vnder subiection they had therein from North to south 40. miles and from East to West 160. miles which stretching along by the coast is more then 700. miles This country hath the name of Brasilia by reason of the great aboundance of red brasil wood which from thence is brought into these countryes in this countrey are manie prouinces and sundrie people some subiect to the Portingales some to the Frenchmen as Margaâ—atan Tabaâ—arren Ouetaâ—aten Tououpiâ—ambaultiem and Morpions all cruel Indians and most of them Canibals whereof in the description of the coast we make mention not far from the Cape S. Augustin lyeth Pernambuco a place where the Portingales haue great traffike for sugar and Brasil wood This cape lyeth vnder eight degrees and a halfe on the south side of the Equinoctiall line and was discouered by Vincente Ianes Pinzon in the yeare of our Lord 1500. in the moneth of Ianuary and is the neerest place to Affrica or Spain of al the country of America for y t it is accounted but 500. miles from this pointe to Cabo Verde in Affrica the common reckoning of the sea Cards yet some esteeme it to be lesse From this cape to Baia de todos Sanctos lying vnder 13. degrees are 100. miles between the which two places I let passe S. Alexio S. Miguel Rio de Aguada that is the riuer of watering Rio di Francisco Rio de cana Fistola because in that place there groweth much Cassia such as is in Egypt Rio Real the kings riuer Rio de Tapuan A. Pouoacam the village or commom assemblie c. after the which followeth the Baya de todos Sanctos From this bay to the Cape dos Abrollios or dos Baixos that is the Cape of the droughts which lieth vnder 18. degrees are 100. miles and between them lieth these places Rio de S. Giano that is the riuer of S. Iulian os Ilhos the Islands Rio de S. Antonio Rio de S. Crus P. Seguro the sure hauen Rio de Brasil Rio de Caruelas c. Margaiates MArgaiates are certaine people mingled with the Portingales are Canibals the country wherin they dwel is gran both in winter and summer as it is with vs in May and Iune both men and women go naked as they come out of their mothers wombes painting themselues with blacke strikes like the Tartarians The men shaue themselues like Friers they make holes in their nether lippes wherein they weare certaine greene polished Iasper stones wherewith they shutte and open the holes which stones they weare for a great ornament which notwithstanding being taken out of the holes maketh them shew most vgly as it they had two mouthes one ouer the other the women lette their haires grow long like our women and bore not their lippes but make holes in theyr eares wherein they hang certaine white bones which hang as low as their shoulders This countrey yeeldeth much Brasill wood from the Cape dos Baixos to Cape Frio which lyeth like an Island are an hundred miles betweene these two places lye many riuers and hauens specially these P. del Agnado Rio Dulce Reâ—os Magos Spirito Sancto where the Portingales haue a Castle which the Margarites or Barbarians call Moab from Moab you come to Tapenury where there lieth certaine Islands friends vnto the Frenchmen from thence you come to Paraiba people that dwell in cottages made like ouens From thence passing along the coast you come to certaine running sandes whereabouts also are certaine cliffes that iutte into the sea whereunto the sailors are to take great regard Right against those shalowes or flattes there lyeth an euen or flat land about twentie miles great inhabited by the Ouetacaters most cruel Barbarians Ouetacates THis people make warres not onely against their neighbours but also one against the other as likewise agaâ—nst al strangers They suffer no man to deale or traffike with them and being hardly besette by the enemies although neuer ouercome they can runne so fast away that they seeme in a manner to surpasse the wild Hart as it is seene by their hunting of wild beasts They go naked like other Brasilians and let their haire grow long downe to the middle of their bodies coÌ„trary to al other Brasilians yet they cut it away on the fore part of their heades and behinde in their neckes as the rest doo These cruel Canibals dwel in a smal but an inuincible countrey they eate raw flesh like dogs and wolues they haue a seueral speech different from their neighbours and because of their cruelty they haue but little of our wares brought vnto them and that they haue they get it in exchange for certaine gréene feathers This exchange is done one standing distant from the other at the least an hundred paces shewing each other their wares without speaking one word and each of them laying their wares in a certaine place appointed they take it away giuing no longer credite one to the other then for the time that they haue exchanged their wares after that beeing returned to their places they to then best to rob each other of his marchandise wherein the Ouetacaters running faster then the other and faster then hounds do oftentimes win the prise Being past this countrey of the Ouetacaters you come to another prouince called Maq-He which is likewise inhabited by cruel Barbarians which neuerthelesse cannot sleepe nor rest in peace for their bad neighbours the Ouetacaterâ— Vpon this coast lyeth a great high sienie rocke made like a tower whereon when the sun shineth it glisters like Sinaragâ—uâ— whereby many haue thought it to be a recke of Sinaragdus stones and therefore by the Frenchmen and Spaniards it is called Mâ—nsis that is Sinaragduâ— It is not possible neither by ship nor on foote to get vnto that reck because of the cliffes wherewith it is compassed and being by it there is no wayes or meanes to get vpon it About this country lyeth three
some weare such stones that are sharpe and of a finger long when they take out the stones they play with their tongues in the hole which is most vgly to beholde for that it seemeth they haue twoo mouthes some of them weare not onely this stone through theyr lips but also through both their cheekes touching their noses they are flat which they cause to grow so by force when they are yong coÌ„trary to vs which desire straite noses but they esteeme their flat noses for a beauty they paint their bodies with manie colours specially aboue al others their legs with a blacke colour with the sap of a certaine hearbe by them called Genipat so that a farre off they seeme to haue blacke bootes or straight hose like the priests in our countries the blacknesse of this sap cleaueth so fast on that if they wash themselues for the space of ten or fifteene daies together yet it will hardly come off They haue likewise necklaces of eight fingers long made of bones as white as Alablaster which they call Iaci according to theyr forme which they putte vppon cotten strings and weare them about theyr armes as also other flatte and rounde bones like stiuers certaine peeces of money in Holland which beeing bored through the middle and hanged one by one vpon strings they weare them in such sort as wee weare chaines of gold which they call Bouze Besides this they make certaine rounde beades of blacke shining wood which they tie together vpon strings and weare them likewise about theyr neckes which shine as blacke and glistering as if they were Iet They haue likewise many Hennes of our countreyes which the Portingales brought thither from the which they pull the small white fethers which with irons they hacke and make soft and then colour them redde which done they annoint their bodies with gum and strow the feathers therein wherby they looke like new hatched birds wherof this opinion hath risen by some men that haue first gone into those Countries and séeing them drest in that manner that they wereso by nature They dresse theyr foreheades with feathers of diuers colours verie cunningly placed together like the French gentlewomen that ware periwigs of strange haire these apparrels and ornaments of feathers and stones as also the rattles wherewith they make a noyse with their woodden halberdes and many other things to them belonging you may see at Doctor Paludanus house those crownes on theyr heades they call Iempenambi in theyr eares likewise they weare certaine white bones not much vnlike those which the children weare in theyr lips In Brasilia there are certaine blacke Birdes like Crowes by them called Toucan which haue certaine rings about theyr neckes of yellow and red feathers which they flea and drie the skinnes and beeing drie are likewise called Toucan which they weare vppon each Cheeke sticking them on with ware and when they goe to warres or to a banket when they meane to kill a man and to eate him according to their manner because they will bee after the finest sort they putte on that kinde of apparrell made of feathers with hoodes vppon their heades and thinges made of greene redde blewe and other colours of feathers about their armes verie cunningly sette together which by vs coulde not bee mended shewing as if they were of wrought Veluet as Paludanus can shewe you Such feathers likewise they binde vppon theyr Halberdes which are likewise almost like a blacke Spitte Lappe of harde woodde made redde or blacke They wearelikewise on their shoulders certain mantles of Eastrige feathers which is a signe that they haue Eastriges that are verie cunningly set together and hang long about them by them called Aâ—aroy such as wil among them be accounted manly and stout haue the report to haue killed eaten many men they cut great slashes in their breasts hips and thighs wherby they make the flesh to rise which they couer with a certain pouder and make them looke blacke which colour neuer goeth off during theyr liues wherby a farre off they seeme to haue cutte leather Ierkins on their bodies such as the Switsers vse to weare When they will holde any drunken feast or dauncing wherunto they are much giuen to increase their mirth besides the great noyse and crie which they ordinarily make they haue a certaine kind of hollow fruit which Theretus calleth Ahonay the pith whereof being taken out some of them are filled with stones and some without and so are put vpon strings of cotten wooll which they tie about their legs dauncing therewith as our iuglers and morice dauncers in these countreyes dance with belles likewise they carrie in their hands certaine dryed goords which they fil with stones hauing a sticke in the ende make a noyse therewith as our children doo with a blather full of stones which instrument with them is called Maraca the women go naked like the men and pul away their haire from the eyebrowes and eyelids but weare it on theyr heades like our women which they wash and comb derie often and tie it vp with redde cotten hairelaces as our country women vse to do but most parte of them vse to lette it hang downe about theyr shoulders wherin they take great pleasure the women neyther bore lips nor cheekes but onely their eares with so wide holes that a man may thrust his finger through in theÌ„ they hang certain long things which reach vnto their breasts or shoulders like bloudhoundes or water spanels eares They paint their faces with all kinds of colours which their neighbors and other women do for them in the middle of the cheeke they make a rounde circle drawing lines from it of diuers colours vntill theyr face is ful not leauing so much vndone as the eye liddes they weare bracelets of white bones cut thin like plates very cunningly ioyned together with wax and gum also white necklaces which they cal Bonze weare them not about their necks like the men but onely their armes for the which cause they are verie desirous of the glasse beades of all colours such as we haue here in these countries by them caled Maurobi it is to be wondered at that if any apparrel be giuen vnto theÌ„ they wil not weare it excusing themselues saying that it is not their custome but had rather weare stones other things vppon their bodies then such cloathes they haue a custome that in euery riuer where they come they steepe vnto the water and wash their hands many times they duck into the water at y t least ten times a day to wash themselues like birds and if they were apparrelled should put it off as often as they do so it would be ouer troublesome vnto them likewise the women slaues being compelled to weare cloathes many euenings to pleasure themselues doo put off theyr cloathes smock and all and so runne naked about the countrey I must speake somewhat of their little children of the
there is a God and that so they are not ignorant or may once pretend the same considering their beléefe of the immortalitie of the soule the feare they haue of the thunder clappes and the wicked spirits that torment them They haue likewise Prophets or Priestes which they call Caraibes that goe from village to village making the poore people beleeue that they are conuersant with spirites and that they can make strong whom it pleaseth them and giue them power to vanquish the enemie also that by theyr helpe the fruites and great trées do grow and increase vpon the earth Besides this euerie thrée or foure yeare they come togither both men women and children obseruing a certaine feast but in seuerall houses so close or neare togither that they may heare each other where they first beginne with fearefull songs and some daunces their Caribens being with them the women foming at the mouthes as if they had the falling sicknesse beating their breastes and making a most fearefull noyse as if they were possessed with euill spirits and in like sort the children which noyse being ended they are still for a time and then beginne againe to sing so sweetly and in measure that it woulde delight a man to heare them withall dauncing a rounde each following and not leading the other bending their bodyes forwards and their right legge somewhat outwarde and crooked with their right hande vppon theyr buttocks letting the left hand hang down and in this manner they daunce and compasse thrice about in each daunce hauing thrée or foure Caribes with hattes apparrell and arme bandes of feathers each Caribe hauing in his hand a Maâ—aca or rattle thereby making the people beleeue that the spirit speaketh vnto theÌ„ out of thâ—â—e rattles stepping forwarde and backewarde and not as the people doo standing still in one place They likewise often times take long Reedes wherein they putte a certaine hearbe by them called Petum which they sette on fire and turning themselues about incense the people with the smoke thereof with these wordes Receiue the spirite of strength whereby you may ouercome your enemies which kinde of ceremonies continue for the space of sixe or seauen houres togither and with so pleasant melodie that men that are séene in musicke as those people are not would maruaile thereat and thinke it impossible and at the ende of euerie song stamping on the grounde with their right foote euerie man spitting and with a hoarse voyce often vttering these wordes He He Hua He Hua Hua Hua In these ceremonies they first remember their valiant Predecessors being in good hope that they shall goe behinde the hilles and there with them be merrie and daunce that doone they doo most earnestly threaten the Ouetacaten a most cruell people bordering vppon them that in short tune they hope to ouerrunne them and at the last singing somewhat of Noes floud that it destroyed the world and drowned all the people onely their forefathers that saued themselues vpon the tops of high trees whereby it should appeare that they haue hadde a certaine knowledge of Noes floud although now cleane forgotten because they haue no bookes neither yet can reade These ceremonies ended they entertaine their Caribes most sumptuously with daintie meate and drinke and make good cheere the saide Caribes walke likewise through the villages with their rattles or Maracan couering them with feathers they make them fast to a staffe which they fixe into the earth and there offer meate and drinke before it as if it were an Idole making the poore men beleeue that the rattles eate and consume the meate and drink whereby euery housholder thinketh himselfe bound to set not onely flesh and fish before them but also of their Coauin which is their drinke the manner of it is thus their Maracans or rattles being tyed to a sticke and fixed in the earth as afore said for the space of fifteene dayes are by the people serued with great deuotion and therwith they do so bewitch the poore people that they make them beleeue the rattles are holy and that the spirits speake out of them The Frenchmen séeking to bring them from that fonde opiâ—â—on were hardly thought of by them and thereby incurred the Caribes sore displeasure in like manner Balaams priests hated Elias for discouering their deceits And thus much concerning the ceremonies and Religion of these poore simple people which at this preseÌ„t shal suffice and such as are desirous to know more let them reade the histories therof specially Iohnes Lerius from whence for the most part this is taken forth who hath described at large what happened vnto him in his voyage into those countries The manner of their marriage number of wiues and the degrees of marriage obserued among them also the education of their children IN marriage they obserue these degrées of kindered no man marrieth with his mother sister or daughter other degrées they respect not for the vncles marrie with their cosins and so of other degrées when they match together they vse no ceremonies but hee that is desirous to marrie with a widow or a maide speaketh vnto theyr friendes if they haue any or to their neighbours for want of friendes asking them if it be their wils that such a one shuld marrie with them if they say I then presentlie he taketh her home without any more ceremony keepeth her for his wife but if she be denied him he neuer seeketh further vnto hir but here you must consider that they are permitted to take many wiues for that euerie man hath as many as hee thinks good and the more he hath the stronger and worthier they estéeme him there are some of theÌ„ that haue eight yet the liue in such vnitie that although some one of them is better beloued then the rest yet they neuer conceiue any ielousie therein neither yet once murmur thereat but liue quietly togither weauing and making their cotten beds doing their houshould worke looking to their gardens and planting of their rootes c. Such women as commit adulterie are by nature so abhominable to the Americans that it is in the mans power to kill them or els with shame to put them from him it is true that they take no regarde vnto their maids but let them do as they wil but being once married they must obserue their promise vpon the paines before rehearsed but they are not so much addicted to vncleannesse as the people of East India the women that are with child abstaine from great labours and do nothing but ordinarie worke about the houses and commonly the women do more work then the men for the men only in the morning set certaine trées about their gardens but not al y e day after but coÌ„sume most of their time in the wars hunting fishing to make Brasilia halberds and weapons of wood as also bowes and arrowes as touching the bringing forth of the child into the world the men receiue them from
the womans body and with their téeth bite off the childes nauill string and then presse downe the nose esteeming it a great beautifying vnto them the child being borne is presently washed by the father and painted with red and blacke colour it is neuer swadled nor lapped in cloathes but onely laide in a little cotten bed and being a boy the father presently giueth him a woddeÌ„ knife a bow and a little arrow which are laide by him in his bed and therewith he kisseth the childe saying vnto him My sonne when thou art great thou must be strong and reuenge thy selfe vpon thine enemies as touching their names they giue them the names of such things as they know as Orapacen that is bow and arrow Sarigoy foure footed beast Arignan henne Arabouten a Brasill tree Pindo a great hearbe c. The childrens meate besids their mothers milke is chawed meale some sowst meat the womaÌ„ that is deliuered lieth 2. or 3. daies at the most vpon her cotten bed after that shée putteth a cotten cappe vppon the childes head and either goeth into the garden or els about the house to doo some worke which our women cannot do as being of weaker complections and liuing in an vntemperate aire besides this we would thinke if our children should not be wond or swadled they would grow crooked whereof not any such are founde to be among them but rather goe vprighter then any other people in the world which is also by meanes of the temperatenesse of the aire The children growing great and to mans state are taught no other thing then onely to be reuenged of their enemies and to eate them also they are bounde as right followers of Lamech Nimrod and Esau to hunting and to go to the warres to kill and eate both men and beasts What lawes and pollicies are vsed among the Brasilians also howe friendly they entertaine strangers together with their weepings and words vsed by the women vnto strangers at their first comming into their houses THe policie of the Brasilians is hardly to be beleeued howe reasonably and naturally they behaue themselues therein I mean among themselues for commoÌ„ quarrels for that as touching their warlike affaires against their enemies it is sufficiently declared but if there riseth any strife or quarrel among themselues such as are present will not seeke to pacifie the matter but rather lette them fight or deale together as they thinke good yea although they should plucke each others eyes out of their heads but if one of them chaunceth to hurte the other and being taken he is likewise wounded in the same place where he wounded the other and if it fortune that by the wounde the partie dieth he that killed him shall by the kindred of the dead man bee likewise flame so that with them they pay life for life eye for eye and tooth for tooth Theyr goods are houses and lande which they haue farre greater then their necessities requireth as touching their houses you must vnderstande that euerie village hath at the least â—00 houses wherby many of theÌ„ must of force dwell in a house yet euerie family hath a seuerall place although without any distance as beeing nothing betweene the houses to let them from seeing from the one ende of all their houses to the other although many times they are at the least 60. paces long yet euerie man hath his wiues children seuerall to himself and it is to be wondered at that they neuer dwell aboue fiue or sixe moneths in one house but taking the trees and the hearbe Pâ—â—â—o wherof their houses are made they carrie them oftentimes at the léast 1000. paces off yet the villages keepe their ancient names whereby it may easily bee gathered what great houses they build séeing it oftentimes happeneth that one man in his life time doth remoue his house twentie times at the least and if any man asketh them why they so often remoue their houses they make answer that changing of place is holsome also that their predecessors did the like which if they should leaue they should not liue long touching their grounds euerie Moussacat that is housholder hath certaine gardens and orchardes to himselfe which hee vseth as he tihnketh good but as touching the tilling and dressing of their groundes as wee do ours it is not vsed among them as concerning their houshold worke the women spin and work cotten wooll therof to make ropes and hanging beds which beddes they cal Iâ—â—s they are about six or seuen foot long made like a net but somewhat thicker like our thin cloath with strong ropes at the head and foote to tie them at but because such beds are broughâ— hither and so well knowne it is not necessarie to speake anie more of them neither of the manner howe they vse to spinne the wooll but touching these things you may reade Lerius my desire being onely to set down their cheefe and principall customes When the men go to warre hunting or fishing they take such beds with them and making them fast to two trees they sleepe therein which beddes being foule either with dust smoke or otherwise are by the women made cleane which is done in this manner they goe into the wooddes to seeke a certaine fruite not much vnlike our pumpcons but greater for that most parte of them are so great that a man can hardly beare them in his hand this fruite they slampe verie small and put it in an earthen potte steeping it in water which doone they stirre it with a sticke in such sort that it yeeldeth forth a thicke scumme which scumme they vse in steede of Sope wherewith they make their beddes as white and cleane as anie Fuller doth his cloath and in summer time or in the wars it is better sleeping on those beddes then vppon ours as touching their housholde stuffe the women make great earthen Pottes therein to put theyr drinke Coaâ—in They make pottes likewise of many fashions smal and indifferent great cups broad dishes and such like vessels the outward parte not much polished but inwardly so cleane white with a certaine colour layde vpon them that they far surpasse our pot makers they likewise make certaine mixture of blacke and white colour together wherewith they paint and stripe their earthen vessels specially those wherein they keepe their meate their manner of earthen worke is much pleasanter and better then our wodden dishes onely the women which paint their pots haue this fault they cannot paint one thing twice because they do it not by art but onely according to their fantasies These Barbarians also haue certaine pumpeons and other fruits which they diuide into two partes and cutting the meate out of them they vse them for drinking cuppes which they call Cobi they haue also great and small baskets made of whole Rushes not much vnlike wheate straw cunningly wrought and folded togither which they cal Panacon wherin they keepe their meale and other things theyr