32 GRAND TOTAL POPULATION IN GUYANA. Of Berbice, I can find no similar return; but the accompanying shews the General Population of Demerara and Essequibo, 31st. Oct. 1829; and of Berbice, agreeably to Census of 1827, and Slave Registration of 1831. * General Census and Appraisement of George Town of the 31st of October, ↑ The Population of Berbice in 1764 was whites, 116; male negroes, 1308; female ditto, 1307; children, 745; total, 3476. Males. : Females. Total. Grand Total. SLAVE POPULATION IN EACH PARISH. 33 The Slave Population in each parish of Demerara and Essequibo, 31st May, 1832, was 307 125 2,934 2,670 5,604 158 162 5, 2,570 2,063 4,633 116 108 4, 4633 2,059 1,851 3,910 104 104 5, 391 13, 391 62 463 2,930 2,605 5,535 167 193 6, 2311, 1107 969 St. Mark. 13, 5887 The native Indians of this coast have long engaged the attention of Europeans, and indeed imperatively call for the protection of the British Government. When this part of the South American continent was first visited by the mariners of the old world it was found densely peopled; but few, alas, VOL. II. Since the Registration of May, 1829. D 34 INDIAN TRIBES IN BRITISH GUYANA. now remain to indicate the aboriginal inhabitants of a land which the Whites have made their property,-offering a melancholy contrast to the progress of European colonization and civilization in the Eastern hemisphere. Mr. Fowel Buxton, and his philanthropic coadjutors, are now directing public attention to this humane and indeed important subject; the following details will therefore be acceptable to all who think it of little consequence whether the image of the Creator be carved in ebony or in ivory, each and all claiming the attention of the philanthropist and christian. The principal tribes in and around British Guiana, are the 1. Arrawaks, 2. Accawai, 3. Caribisce, 4. Warrows, and 5. Macoosies. The first mentioned border on the coast linethe 2nd are removed further inland-and in stature, colour, and some other respects are like the first. The 3rd. inhabit the upper country between the Essequibo and Cayuny-they are described as having the manliness and intrepidity of all highland tribes, and as being fairer than the Arrawaks, or lowlanders. According to tradition they once inhabited the West India islands; it is more probable however that the W. I. islands were originally peopled by the Caribisce from the main land. The 4th, or Warrows, occupy the coast between the Pomeroon and Orinoko, and are a black short hardy race of fishermen and sailors, subsisting chiefly by boat building. The 5th, or Macoosies, reside in the deep recesses of the forests of the interior, and are numerous, very industrious, extremely cunning, and implacable in their revenge; probably they are the aborigines of the country, and fleeing before more civilized tribes, as we find to be the case in every part of the Eastern hemisphere. It is difficult, if not impossible, to estimate the number of Indians south of the Rippanooney; about 5000 consider themselves under the protection of the British Government; receiving triennial presents and annual supplies; about 20,000 are migratory, unattached to any particular government, and removing at pleasure from the Orinoque to the Brazils, Cayenne, or Surinam, as necessity (i. e. want of food) or incli ARRAWAAKS;-THEIR CASTES OR FAMILIES. 35 nation may dictate. Mr. Hillhouse, of Demerara, the generous and indefatigable friend of the Indians, to whose philanthropic labours and varied talents I am indebted for the following details of the different nations within our boundary, places them as in the annexed order ::-- The Arrawaaks, it is justly observed, demand our first consideration, as living within the immediate vicinity of the plantations, being the most civilized, and whose services have been the most frequently required. As we are also most familiar with them, their character will serve as a model of general approximation for all other tribes. This nation can furnish about 400 men, all perfectly acquainted with the use of fire arms, and particularly serviceable in the intersected country and swamps adjoining the plantations. They consist of the following families, or castes :— 1. Maratakayu, 2. Queyurunto, 3. Wooneseedo, 4. Demaridy, 10. Baboana, 11. Kanahea Macoveyu, J 12. Daharabetady, 13. Carabunury, 14. Nebebeetaddy, 15. Seewedey, 17. Haduadafunha, 23. Ehbehselio, 24. Wareerobaquady, 25. Aramkritu, 26. Kariwhete, 27. Eubotaddy. The cast of blood is derived from the mother, and the family genealogy preserved with the greatest care, as a preservative from incestuous intercourse-one family not being allowed to intermarry within itself. The children of the Mara 36 MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP-PLURALITY OF wives. takayu father cannot, therefore, be Maratakayu; but if the mother be Queyurunto, the children are also Queyurunto, and can marry into the father's family, but not the mother's. Marriage is frequently contracted by the parents for their children, when infants. In this case, the young man is bound to assist the family of his wife till she arrives at puberty; he then takes her where he pleases, and establishes his own household. But young men and women who are free, at a more advanced age, consult their inclinations without remony beyond the mere permission of the parent, which is never withheld but on account of family feuds. any ce Polygamy is allowed and practised by all those who have the means of maintenance for a plurality of wives. This is generally the case with the chiefs or captains, who have sometimes three or four wives. All the inconveniences common in Europe, where there are more mistresses than one in the house, are also felt here; and envy, jealousy, and henpecking, are perfectly understood by their effects in the Arrawaak seraglio. The interference of the husband, with a stout bush rope, is frequently necessary to restore tranquillity, and he is often driven out of the house by the din of domestic warfare.* The captain commands the services of the families of his different wives on emergencies; and, in return, he is required to become the principal in all feuds, and to exercise towards them all the rights of hospitality, in their most extended sense. On any scarcity of provisions, or prevalence of sickness, all the branches of the family flock to the dwelling of the chief, and live at his expense, without the least doubt of a welcome. It therefore frequently happens, that the chief is fairly eaten out of house and home, and his cassava field completely exhausted. In this predicament he unties his hammock, puts his family into his canoe, and starts off to pay his round of visits amongst his friends, at whose expense he lives, till his next crop of provisions coming in, enables him to return to his home. The visiting is a complete system, and is always made to occupy three months of the twelve. * Petty family feuds or quarrels are unknown. . . |