Next. Chapter Iv. Description Of The Vanquech : p. 15 CHAPTER IV DESCRIPTION OF THE VANQUECH OR TEMPLE Although god needs not a material temple, to be adored, praised and venerated, to fill all the world with his essence, presence, and power: nevertheless, he has always desired that there should be sacrifices, and prayers offered unto him...
Next. Chapter X. Of Many Of Their Extravagances : p. 42 CHAPTER X OF MANY OF THEIR EXTRAVAGANCES Superstitions of a ridiculous, and most extravagant nature, were found associated with these Indians, and even now, in almost every town, or hamlet, the child's first education is a belief in their authenticity; and they grow up from infancy familiar...
Next. Chapter Xii. The Indian Wars : p. 49 CHAPTER XII THE INDIAN WARS War was invented by men, and for the purpose of taking from each other, their estates and other property, or for carrying into effect their revengeful dispositions. Thus it was with these Indians, whose battles were frequent, and often declared from the most...
Title Page : p. 70 CHARACTERISTIC ANECDOTES A chief of a rancheria, or village, not far distant from the Presidio of St. Diego, who had observed, with much attention, the manner and authority with which the "Comandante" governed his officers and soldiers, as well as the inhabitants of the place, had heard...
Next. Chapter V. Obedience And Subjecti : p. 19 CHAPTER V OBEDIENCE AND SUBJECTION TO THEIR CAPTAIN Their form of government was monarchical, acknowledging but one head, and the "Puplem", or general council. This body served as a kind of check to the will of the captain, and without its sanction he could do nothing of importance. Before...
Next. Introduction : p. vii INTRODUCTION The motives which have induced me to write the present history, have been, principally, to fulfil my obligations as Apostolical Missionary; to have before me the means of presenting to these poor Indians an account of the errors entertained by them during their state...
Title Page. Part 1 : CHINIGCHINICH A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN, CUSTOMS, AND TRADITIONS OF THE INDIANS AT THE MISSIONARY ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. JUAN CAPISTRANO, ALTA-CALIFORNIA BY THE REVEREND FATHER FRIAR GERONIMO BOSCANA Translated By ALFRED ROBINSON Wiley and Putnam, New York [1846] Scanned , September, 2003. J...
Next. Chapter I. Of What Race Of People Are : p. 1 CHAPTER I OF WHAT RACE OF PEOPLE ARE THESE INDIANS? To commence this relation, it may be proper, in the first place, to search after the origin, or lineage of these Indians of New California. But it is impossible to find any account of where they originated; as those of this mission, (St...
Next. Chapter Xvi. The Character Of The Indian : p. 68 CHAPTER XVI THE CHARACTER OF THE INDIAN To complete this history, and to give a relation of all my observations during a period of more than twenty years' residence in the province, it will be important to delinate the character of the Indians, as I have been enabled to learn it...
Next. Chapter Iii. Of The Creati : p. 9 CHAPTER III OF THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THOSE RESIDING ON THE SEA-COAST In the preceding chapter, we have been amused by the belief of the Indians, "Serranos", relative to the creation of the world. Now, let us compare the same with that of the "Playanos"--that is, those who...
Next. Chapter Xiii. Their Funeral Ceremonies : p. 52 CHAPTER XIII THEIR FUNERAL CEREMONIES Before treating upon the subject of their manner of interment, I will just refer to the remedies used for their diseases. They possessed some knowledge of the virtues of certain medicinal herbs, and the external application of them to cutaneous...
Next. Chapter Ix. On Their Principal Feasts : p. 37 CHAPTER IX ON THEIR PRINCIPAL FEASTS AND DANCES As on all their feast days, dancing was the principal ceremony, I will endeavor to describe many of the ludicrous customs attending it. Such was the delight with which they took part in their festivities, that they often continued dancing day...
Next. Translator's Introduction : p. v TRANSLATOR'S INTRODUCTION IN THE TRANSLATION OF THIS MANUSCRIPT, I HAVE endeavored to retain the original style of the Spanish writer, and have adhered, as closely as practicable, to a literal version of the same. It is apparent that Father Boscana intended to confine his descripti...
Next. Chapter Ii. On The Creation Of The Universe : p. 4 CHAPTER II ON THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE Although this chapter has for its title, the "creation of the world", the reader must not suppose it has any relation to the account given by Moses in the first chapter of Genesis. I do not intend any such thing; but merely to make known the belief...
Next. Chapter Xiv. The Immortality Of The Soul : p. 56 CHAPTER XIV THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL This chapter may cause some perplexity, from circumstance of its treating of that which is imperceptible to the senses; of a substance incorporeal and spiritual. Still, I can in a very few words make known the belief of these Indians, relative...
Next. Chapter Xv. Origin Of The Populati : p. 64 CHAPTER XV ORIGIN OF THE POPULATION OF THE MISSION OF ST. JUAN CAPISTRANO Having thus far dwelt upon the usages, belief, and customs of these Indians, it may not be uninteresting to know the origin of those who first settled in the neighborhood of St. Juan, the account of which, will cont...
Next. Chapter Vi. The Instructions Given : p. 23 CHAPTER VI THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO THEIR CHILDREN One of the difficulties most perplexing to the Indians, was, the rearing and educating their children. They were unacquainted with the arts, excepting those most necessary for their maintenance, and ignorant of all useful knowledge to keep...
Next. Chapter Viii. On Their Mode Of Life : p. 34 CHAPTER VIII ON THEIR MODE OF LIFE AND OCCUPATION Among the natural inclinations with which man is endowed, is that of defending, and preserving his own individual person. For this reason, he feels it his duty to consider how, and in what manner, he is to live, and how to procure...
Next. Chapter Xi. Their Calendar : p. 46 CHAPTER XI THEIR CALENDAR We cannot but believe that the calendar is one of the most important and the most necessary of inventions. But theirs, if we may call it such, differed but very little from the natural instinct of the brute creation, which possessed a knowledge of time...
Next. Chapter Vii. On Matrimony : p. 29 CHAPTER VII ON MATRIMONY The usual custom of these Indians in selecting and obtaining their wives, was as follows:--When one of them was inclined to marry, and having seen one with whom he was particularly pleased, he kept loitering about her place of residence, until opportunity offered...
