[Jewelry making - Article 00224] - Re: [Orchid] [Tidbits] A Conundrum

[Teri]

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    Ah my major in college was finae arts sculpture/archaeology
    (palentology) the head is treated by Jivaro as such: 

    The head of the victim is cut off, and later, in the seclusion of
    his hut, the victor prepares it into a lasting war trophy, attaching
    to it the significance which the North American attached to scalps.
    The skin is opened up from the base of the neck to the crown, and the
    skull is removed entire, leaving only the soft, pliant skin. 

    The skin is now dipped into a vegetable extract which dyes it a
    blue-black and probably has some action preservative, and then the
    cut skin is sewed up along the neck to restore the head to its
    original form. 

    The cavity is filled with hot sand or pebbles, after which the head
    is constantly turned and moved, so that the drying goes on uniformly.
    When the sand has cooled, hot sand takes its place, and this process
    may last for several days before the head is completely cured. 

    Shrinking to an unbelievable degree takes place, but it is so
    regulated that the features retain their individuality to a great
    extent, and the finished head is about the size of a man's fist. 

    The lips have been sewed shut with a series of long cotton cords,
    the exact pattern of this stitching varying with the locality and
    seeming to have some significance. 

    Within a short time after the preparation of a head, generally
    within a month, the victor celebrates the event by a ceremonial dance
    at which there is an orgy of wild drinking. After this dance it may
    be possible to buy the head from the Jivaro, if his interest can be
    aroused in an object whose value he understands and appreciates, such
    as the musket. 

Teri
Silver & Cameo Heritage Jewelry
www.corneliusspick.com
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