Note 86 — INTRODUCTION.

“According to information obtained at Piura, in the north of Peru, there still exist, along and near the neighbouring coast, large remnants of five distinct nations, viz. the Etenes, the Morrópes, the Sechúras, the Catacáos, and the Colanes. The Etenes inhabit the first coast-valley to the southward of the large valley of Lambayeque, and their town stands on a steep hill (morro) close by the sea; they still preserve their original language and speak it constantly among themselves, so that it ought to be possible to obtain a complete vocabulary of it.

“The Morrópes occupy chiefly a village of that name lying on the north side of Lambayeque.

“The Sechuras inhabit the large village of Sechura, still farther northward, at the mouth of the river Piura (which, according to Fitz Roy, is in latitude 5° 35´ S., long. 80° 49´ W.). Only the very oldest people recollect anything of their original language, but they relate that in their younger days it was in general use. They are the stoutest and best looking Indians I have seen on the Peruvian coast, and their favorite occupation is that of muleteer, in which (as their beasts of burden are all their own property) they often attain considerable wealth—not to be laid up, however, but to be liberally spent in the decoration of their church, their houses, and their wives. The church of Sechura is internally one of the most gorgeous in Peru. I have seen a list, filling several folio pages, made last year (1863), of the sacred vessels it contains, including great numbers of gold and silver candlesticks, censers, crucifixes, etc. These are in charge of a mayordomo, who is chosen each year out of the wealthier inhabitants, and who on retiring from office always adds some costly gift to the stock; so that I suppose Sechura to be at this moment richer in the precious metals than it was when the Spaniards landed in Peru, and perhaps nearly as rich as the neighbouring town of Tumbez was at that time.

“The Sechurano has a great predilection for the number four. He divides his gains into four equal portions, the first for God (or the church), the second for the devil (i.e., his wife or women), the third for drink (chicha and brandy of Pisco), and the fourth for food. If he has four sons, the first must be an arriero (muleteer), the second a salinero (worker and trader in salt, which is procured in large quantities at the mouth of the Piura), the third a pescador (fisherman), and the fourth a sombrerero (maker of Panamá hats).

“The Catacáos live in the village of that name, about five leagues higher up the valley of Piura. They are, perhaps, more numerous than the Sechuras, but are in every way an inferior race, lower in stature and coarser looking. Still they are very industrious, and manufacture great numbers of hats, besides working up the native cotton and wool into stout fabrics for their own garments, and also for alforjas, or saddle-bags (often beautifully woven in various coloured devices), mantas, belts, etc. I was unable to find among them any one who recollected anything of their ancient language, beyond the tradition that it was entirely distinct from the Sechura.

“The Colánes, formerly very numerous on the lower part of the river Chira (a little to the north of the port of Payta), and still existing in the village of Colan, at the mouth of the river, and at Amotape, a little way within it, have also lost all remembrance of the language of their forefathers.

“By none of these Indian nations is the Quichua language spoken or understood, nor is there any evidence of its ever having been used by them.” R. S.