article

World view of the Tapirapé Indians

journal of American folk-lore • 53 • Published In 1940 • Pages: 252-260

By: Wagley, Charles.

Abstract

This article describes some of the religious and cosmological beliefs of the Tapirapé. Mythology, beliefs about meteorological phenomena and heavenly bodies, spirits, gods and souls, and beliefs about animals and various aspects of nature are described. The role of shamans is likewise discussed. Some information is also given on the manner in which Tapirapé account for new phenomena and the processes by which they incorporate new knowledge into their concepts of the universe. The data were gathered by the author, an ethnologist, in the course of his fieldwork.

HRAF PubDate

2010

Region

South America

Sub Region

Eastern South America

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Betty Potash; 1960

Field Date

1935

Coverage Date

1935

Coverage Place

Tapirapé river area, far northeastern Mato Grosso state, Brazil

Notes

Charles Wagley

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

17028737

LCSH

Tapirapé Indians