Wood Is Burned, And The Place Was
At Times So Full Of Smoke That I Could Not Distinguish One Indian
From Another.
Fortunately, the walls of the house, as was also the
roof, were in bad repair, and some of the smoke escaped through the
chinks.
Sixty people lived in the largest hoga, and I judged the
number of the whole tribe to be about three hundred.
The doorways of all the houses faced towards the east, as did those
of the Inca. In the principal one, where the high priest lived, a
square altar of red clay was erected. I quickly noticed that on this
elevation, which was about a yard high, there burned a very carefully
tended fire of holy wood. Enquiring the meaning of this, I was
informed that, very many moons ago, Nande-yara had come in person to
visit the tribe, and when with them had lit the fire, which, he said,
they must not under any circumstances suffer to die out. Ever since
then the smoke of the incense had ascended to their "Owner" in his
far-off dwelling.
How forcibly was I reminded of the scripture referring to the Jewish
altar of long ago, "There the fire shall ever be burning upon the
altar; it shall never go out." If I had not discovered Eden, I had at
least found the altar and fire of Edenic origin.
Behind the altar, occupying the stall directly opposite the doorway,
stood the tribal god. As the Caingwas are sun-worshippers, I was
surprised to see this, but Rocanandivia, with grave demeanor, told me
that when Nandeyara departed from them he left behind him his
representative.
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