The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 285
330 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Descriptions of Tejas or Asinai Indians, 1691-1722 285
Because I have observed their docile spirits, I am submitting
this brief report which, in the beginning, may be of some benefit.
[Tonsorial Customs]
They are fond of bells, knives, and of everything made of iron-
such as axes and mattocks; for, as they are a people who build
houses to live in and plant crops for food, they need these things
most of all. Therefore, when things of this kind are given
them-say woolen garments and especially blue, the color of the
sky,-they appreciate them more than if they were heaps of gold
and silver. They also like hats, glass beads, and everything in
the shape of ornaments; and things which make a noise. In lieu
of these, they wear little white shells they find in the fields which
are shaped like beads. They wear snake rattles, deer hoofs, and
other similar things, all of which they fasten to their leather
garments, so as to make a great deal of noise. The women also
like these things very much. They like to paint themselves from
the waist up to the shoulders in various colored streaks, partic-
ularly the breasts. They paint themselves with great care. The
men like fine feathers. They also like to have nice long hair
spread over their shoulders, and to have it well combed. Those
who do not have hair of this kind, take great pains to scrape the
head in the form of a tonsure, leaving in the middle of the head
some long hair which reaches to the waist. They also take great
pains to rid themselves of eyebrows and beard by the use of a
shell.
[The Opportunity of the Missionary]
Oh, how wise it would be to provide these poor creatures with
the things mentioned above. I believe that it would be very easy
to induce them to live close to each other. What they will dis-
like most will be to build new houses and to open new ground for
planting. If they have these tools, I have no doubt but that,
with the aid of the Spaniards and the helpful instruction of the
ministers, they will locate in pueblos. This will be for the good
of their own souls and to the glory of both Majesties-to the Lord
of Heaven and earth and to our Catholic king through the en-
largement of his royal dominions and the peace of his vassals.
Those whom his Majesty may send to these regions can take a
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927, periodical, 1927; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117142/m1/311/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.