1941.8.230.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Pair of sandals

Geographical reference

Guyana

Latin America and the Caribbean > South America > Guyana

Rupununi

Cultural groups

Macusi

Person

Field collector James Williams

PRM source Mrs James Williams

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1941

Date collected

By 1941

Acquisition information

Donated: 1941

Materials and processes

Material Palm Leaf Plant

Object numbers

Accession number: 1941.8.230.1 Accession number: 1941.8.230.2

Research and responses

W. C. Farabee (in The Central Caribs (1924); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia University Museum and University Of Pennsylvania Museum, Anthropological Publications volume 10) states that the Macusi wear sandals of the leaf stock of the aeta palm (Mauritia flexuosa) when travelling in the savannah on stony trails. Such sandals are roughly cut with a square toe and heel, and are wide enough to protect the sides of the foot. They are fastened with thongs which pass through slits at the sides of the foot, around the heel, and between the big and second toes. Interior tribes do not use such sandals, as their trails are shaded and covered with leaves. They are not used in the wet season, as they are useless on slippery ground. They are of greater value as protection from the heat of a sun-baked trail than on stony soil, especially where there are many streams to ford, as the soles are cooled and softened by water. The leaf stock sandal is esily made but quickly worn out. Such sandals are widely used in South America, outside the Amazon Valley. Sandals are known as pucaza in Macusi (the plural being pucazayamu?). [CW 11 9 1997]

Search terms: Clothing Footgear, Sandal