ThewarsandtheKariókaswarriors

The rivers of Guanabara – our “bay resembling the sea,” according to André Thevet and Nicolas Barré – were inhabited by various Tupinambá communities. Among other means of subsistence, these warriors took advantage of the fish spawning in the rivers, which provided a regular abundance of food. The Tupinambá knew how to preserve fish meat without salt. The fish was thoroughly cooked on the moquém, then ground into a kind of flour, which, stored in well-sealed baskets, could be consumed for months. In the months of June and July, in more than 200 canoes, residents of Rio de Janeiro would gather to catch the fish that went to spawn in the rivers of this region. This phenomenon, called “piraíque (the rising of the fish), was eagerly awaited by the boldest, who sought their people's admiration, as well as to honor their ancestors. They were raised for this purpose and encouraged by the payés” to fulfill their destinies.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. It shows a combat scene between two groups of people. In the background, there are snow-covered mountains and palm trees. On the left, there is a wooden structure with a sloped roof, where two figures are seated in hanging hammocks. In the central area, several figures are standing or sitting on open ground. In the foreground, two groups of people are engaged in a violent fight. Some hold weapons such as arrows and axes, while others use shields. There are also figures fallen on the ground, suggesting that they are wounded or dead.

Only those who proved their worth in combat against ancestral enemies were accepted as true warriors; they lived thirsty for revenge over past feuds between family generations. With the fish flour prepared, they finally gathered the necessary provisions, and the morubixaba “Karió-pear” – who was the chief of the “carijó route,” “the one who goes to the carijós” – could then gather his warriors and travel with a dozen swift canoes, which set off with more than 25 men aboard. It took four to five days to reach Cananeia, on what is now the coast of São Paulo, land of the carijós.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. The spatial arrangement runs from left to right, from foreground to background. On the left is an oval object with an irregular texture, which appears to be a kind of brush. From the center to the right, there is a long twisted handle that connects the oval object to what looks like a cloth brush with hanging threads. At the end of the handle, there is a small decorative cap.

There, they lurked stealthily near the enemies until nightfall and advanced at dawn. Almost at daybreak, the attack trumpets would sound, they would fire flaming arrows onto the enemy houses and, with roars, storm into the enemy village's courtyard. The warriors led by the Karióka chieftain wielded their ibirapemas, hunting for adversaries. Those who dared to fight would have their skulls duly crushed so they could not reach the land of their ancestors. The enemies caught by surprise tried to flee, but some survivors, especially the women, were spared and taken back to Karióka, bound by a braided cord they called a muçurana.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. It shows a scene with several human figures in a natural setting. On the left side, there are two seated women, one holding a container and the other with an object in her hands. In front of them, two men are standing, seemingly in conversation. In the center, three men are interacting, possibly discussing something. On the right, there are more human figures, some standing and others seated, with varied expressions. In the background, there are mountains and palm trees, suggesting a tropical environment. In the upper left corner, it reads "HISTOIRE" and "214".

Just as they arrived, they departed, avoiding becoming vulnerable to the counterattacks of those they had offended. Within minutes, they disappeared over the horizon. Days later, the fleet of canoes would return triumphant to Guanabara, trumpets resounding. Everyone would run to the beach to welcome the warriors. As soon as the canoes slid onto the sand, the captives were put on display for friends and family amid the celebration. They would throw handfuls of sand and small stones at the captured Carijós, while the latter were forced to say: "I, your food, have arrived!"

Image description: This is a black-and-white engraving. In the image, we see a group of naked indigenous people, some with traditional headdresses, in a scene that appears to be a ceremony or ritual. On the left side, two men carry a third, bound by a rope passed around his waist. In the center, another man is being held by two others. On the right, more people observe the scene. In the background, we see a structure made of straw or wood. On the ground, there are small stone fragments scattered about.

In ecstasy, Karióka's huge population celebrated the expedition's victory. Before long, a true carnival began. Five days of celebration were expected, with the whole extended family invited to the village. The celebrants gathered for the festivities in their finest ceremonial attire, and there was food and drink in abundance.

After much dancing, music, and previously prepared performances, everyone awaited the great moment. At the most anticipated hour, the crowd would gather and a young warrior would put on the sacred scarlet cloak. He would have to prove his worth before everyone and, thus, avenge the death of his ancestors with the sacrifice of the captured enemies. Like an eagle, he would approach the victim and recite the verses of vengeance. A single blow was enough for the enemy to be struck down and fall face-first to the ground. At that moment, the prophecy of ancestral vengeance was fulfilled.