DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70300#0276
244 kirby’s wonderful museum.
their imagination : some tear their flesh with the strokes of a
whip, or fasten themselves to the foot of a tree by a chain,
which death only can break ; others make a vow to remain
all their lives in an uneasy posture, such as keeping the
hands shut, while their nails, which they never cut, in the
course of time pierce through them. Some are seen who
have their hands always crossed on their breasts, or lifted
above their heads in such a manner that they can no more
bend them. These unfortunate people can neither eat nor
drink, without the assistance of some disciples who follow
them; and it may be easily judged what they must suffer
during several years, to reduce their arms to this state of
inaction. Many bury themselves, and breathe only through
a little hole ; and it is wonderful, considering the time they
remain under ground, that they are not suffocated. Others,
who are less enthusiastic, are contented with burying them-
selves only up to the neck. Some are found, who have made
a vow always to stand upright, without ever lying down;
they sleep leaning against a wall or a tree; and to deprive
themselves of all means of sleeping comfortable, they put
their necks into certain machines, that resemble a kind of
grate, which, when once they have riveted on, can no more
be taken off. Others stand whole hours upon one foot, with
their eyes fixed on the sun, contemplating that planet with the
most earnest application of mind. Others, again, observe
the same position, with one foot in the air, the other resting
only on tiptoe, and with both arms elevated ; they are placed
in the midst of four vases full of fire, and keep their eyes
intensely fixed on the solar orb.
“ The number of these more rigid penitents is much
lessened since the Indians have been oppressed, and reduced
to a state of slavery. The only person of this kind I ever
saw, pierced his cheeks with an iron, which went through his
tongue, and was riveted on the other side of the cheek with
another piece of iron, which formed a circle underneath th'e
chin.
their imagination : some tear their flesh with the strokes of a
whip, or fasten themselves to the foot of a tree by a chain,
which death only can break ; others make a vow to remain
all their lives in an uneasy posture, such as keeping the
hands shut, while their nails, which they never cut, in the
course of time pierce through them. Some are seen who
have their hands always crossed on their breasts, or lifted
above their heads in such a manner that they can no more
bend them. These unfortunate people can neither eat nor
drink, without the assistance of some disciples who follow
them; and it may be easily judged what they must suffer
during several years, to reduce their arms to this state of
inaction. Many bury themselves, and breathe only through
a little hole ; and it is wonderful, considering the time they
remain under ground, that they are not suffocated. Others,
who are less enthusiastic, are contented with burying them-
selves only up to the neck. Some are found, who have made
a vow always to stand upright, without ever lying down;
they sleep leaning against a wall or a tree; and to deprive
themselves of all means of sleeping comfortable, they put
their necks into certain machines, that resemble a kind of
grate, which, when once they have riveted on, can no more
be taken off. Others stand whole hours upon one foot, with
their eyes fixed on the sun, contemplating that planet with the
most earnest application of mind. Others, again, observe
the same position, with one foot in the air, the other resting
only on tiptoe, and with both arms elevated ; they are placed
in the midst of four vases full of fire, and keep their eyes
intensely fixed on the solar orb.
“ The number of these more rigid penitents is much
lessened since the Indians have been oppressed, and reduced
to a state of slavery. The only person of this kind I ever
saw, pierced his cheeks with an iron, which went through his
tongue, and was riveted on the other side of the cheek with
another piece of iron, which formed a circle underneath th'e
chin.