A quick update from the road. John and I have by circuitous route landed in Ancud on the island of Chiloe. We are headed south through Patagonia and are about to have dinner. I'll try to post more plus photos this evening.
I just finished a book about the anthropology of the natives down there (what tough people they were!). The primary survival garment (and actually, the only real piece of clothing they had) was a body-length skin of the guanaco (worn fur-out) worn like a cloak. I hope your own clothing will be as good as this!
Hi Wade I had the opportunity last time I was in TDF to meet the last two Yaghan women (pure blood) sadly both past child bearing age. I am fascinated by the Ono, Yaghan and Alacufe etc. As I traveled by boat the obvious places to make camp usually turned out to be former sites of the canoe and foot people complete with shell mounds, bits of wood foundations, etc. I believe my pal Bob Miller has been researching the natives of the region in prep for film background. I look forward to further discussions with him.
One thing interesting is that early illustrations and photos of the Fuegan canoes shows them with fires on-going. The author mentions the fires were kept going in the canoes "almost permanently." (reminded me of the small firebox you will carry in your boat) I imagine, besides the bit of welcome heat or chance to cook mussels, having a fire ready to go on a shore camp-site must have been a very good thing. The canoes were very family-oriented, whole families moved around in them. They even built log portage paths to move the canoes over a narrow island or peninsula when that was easier than paddling a long distance around. I wonder if you ever saw any evidence of these remaining when you have/will have a chance to explore inland a bit from your shore camp?
I just finished a book about the anthropology of the natives down there (what tough people they were!). The primary survival garment (and actually, the only real piece of clothing they had) was a body-length skin of the guanaco (worn fur-out) worn like a cloak. I hope your own clothing will be as good as this!
ReplyDeleteHi Wade
DeleteI had the opportunity last time I was in TDF to meet the last two Yaghan women (pure blood) sadly both past child bearing age. I am fascinated by the Ono, Yaghan and Alacufe etc. As I traveled by boat the obvious places to make camp usually turned out to be former sites of the canoe and foot people complete with shell mounds, bits of wood foundations, etc. I believe my pal Bob Miller has been researching the natives of the region in prep for film background. I look forward to further discussions with him.
One thing interesting is that early illustrations and photos of the Fuegan canoes shows them with fires on-going. The author mentions the fires were kept going in the canoes "almost permanently." (reminded me of the small firebox you will carry in your boat) I imagine, besides the bit of welcome heat or chance to cook mussels, having a fire ready to go on a shore camp-site must have been a very good thing. The canoes were very family-oriented, whole families moved around in them. They even built log portage paths to move the canoes over a narrow island or peninsula when that was easier than paddling a long distance around. I wonder if you ever saw any evidence of these remaining when you have/will have a chance to explore inland a bit from your shore camp?
Delete