A treatise of Brasil AND articles touching the dutie of the kings majestie our lord, and to the common good of all the estate of Brasill

Cardim, Fernão d. 1625

book chapter

A treatise of Brasil AND articles touching the dutie of the kings majestie our lord, and to the common good of all the estate of Brasill

J. MacLehose and Sons • 16 • Published In 1906 • Pages: 417-517 [incomplete]

By: Cardim, Fernão d. 1625.

Abstract
The author of this treatise was a Portuguese Jesuit, Fernão Cardim, who lived in Brazil from 1583 to 1625. In 1601 he was captured by a British corsary and his manuscript was translated into English and published by Purchas in his collection. Copies of the Portuguese original manuscripts were discovered in Portugal and published under the respective titles of 'do principio e origem dos Indios do Brasil e de seus costumes, adoracão e ceremonias,' 'do clima e terra do Brasil,' and 'Informação da missão do P. Christovão Gouvêa as partes do Brasil anno 83' or 'Narrative epistolar de uma viagem e missão jesuitica.' Cardim's treatiste is one of our outstanding sources on Tupinamba ethnology and one of the most accurate. The chapter on cannibalism gives details not to be found elsewhere and outlines the sequence of ceremonies. The last chapter enumerating the Indian tribes of the coast of Brazil is an important source for the ethnic map of South America. Interesting data are to be found in the chapters dealing with the flora and fauna of Brazil. Unfortunately, he rarely states whether some economic plants were actually used by the Indians or by the Portuguese colonists.

Identification

Fauna

Flora

Acculturation and culture contact

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region