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Specimen label: The Tubes are wrapped in the bark of Iebaru
(Eperua grandiflora). Used among the Indians of the Rio Uaupes, Brazil at their feasts. Juruparis (or Devils) used by the
Indians on the Uaupes in their Dabocuris (Festas,) consisting of a tube of Paxiuba (Iriartea exorrhiza), wrapped with a
long strip of the tough bark of the Jeboru (a Caesalpineous tree with handsome red monopetalous flowers, apparently the
Parivoa grandiflora of Aublet) [Eperua grandiflora], which descends in widening folds to some distance below the tube,
thus forming a sort of trumpet, which is simply blown into the upper end. I cannot find that the Juruparis are objects of
actual adoration, but they certainly are an object of fear and respect. No women is ever permitted to see them and should
such a circumstance occur the women is certainly put to death generally by poison though the sight should have been
accidental on her part. Youths are not permitted to handle or blow the Juruparis before the age of puberty, and must
previously have undergone a series of fastings and scurgings. The Juruparis are kept hidden in the bed of some stream
deep in the forest, in which no one dares to drink or bathe ; and there are brought out only at night and blown outside
the house where the feast is held, in order that no women may obtain a sight of them.
Richard Spruce's Journals from Barra to the Orinoco, from Barra to Tarapato and notes on the uses of
Amazon plants and on cryptograms. (Journal entry for 17-18 April 1851), p. 52: The
performances commenced early by blowing of flageolets. A dance was then commenced by men and boys inside the house by
forming themselves into a ring, each holding the flute to his mouth with the right hand and placing his left hand on the
right shoulder of the person in advance of him and then moving round.
Richard Spruce's Journals from Barra to the Orinoco, from Barra to Tarapato and notes on the uses of
Amazon plants and on cryptograms. (1851-1855), p. 8: Used in festas of Indians on Uaupés and
on Rio Negro made of Paxiuba with soft central part scooped out as to resemble a bassoon and gives a somewhat similar sound
when blown into at one end. Larger one five or six feet long have a square orifice near upper end into which is inserted
a piece of clay so as to resemble the orifice of the mouthpiece of a flageolet, and above this is tied a fresh leaf of
uarurina every time the Juruparis used. Smaller ones 1-3 feet long have an external envelope of jebaru-bark. A long strip
of this tough bark 11 or 12 inches thick is tightly wrapped around the Paxiuba (of which six to nine inches of upper end
are left uncovered). In some 15 turns after which it is continued spirally downwards in additional turns so as to form a
wide tube reaching two feet beyond the Paxiuba. Two sticks are tied tightly down over this bark and inside it so as to
keep it always in its place and being kept always under water it does not shrink. The addition of this tube gives a deeper
hollow sound to the instrument. Jurupari are of all sorts and sizes and each has its distinct name. That for instance
each is the length of leg is called Keléubuká; that length of half arm Pucé. Juruparis are kept hidden in the bed of some
iguapi in the forest and are only brought out on a feast day for the women who see them die, generally by poison. On
feast days Jurupari are brought out of the forest about dark and then who has them begins to blow when at a distance from
the house of feast. When heard approaching the women all run to hide themselves in the forest or the other side of the
house. They are blown outside the house out of the sight of the women. Youths are not permitted to touch or blow the
Jurupari until 13 or 14 years of age. They are previously put on spare dish for three months and have recruitment flogging
given. Afterwards on a day appointed they are taken to the place where the Juruparis are hidden and taught how to play
on them. Returning home a feast is made and caniri drunk all night, the elders giving a long exhortation to the youths,
such as to always do as their father bids them - not to reply when their mother scolds them.
Additional notes: The playing of the flute declares love, or marks the return of hunters. Legend has it that Jurupari was born when a young virgin was fertilised by leaf juices by the sun, who became angry with women running the world. Jurupari then stole the flutes and gave them to men. His mother found the flutes, condemned him to death and made the stars in the sky from his remains.
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