Javari Valley Tribe

Of all the tribes in the Javari (Yavari) Valley of Brazil and Peru, the Ceremony of Mariwin is only practiced by the Matis tribe. The Matsés tribe traditionally performed a related ceremony called "Comoc" in which hooded beings appear that sing instead of talk. They do not, however, wear ceramic masks as do the Matis during the Mariwin Ceremony. The bright red color of the masks is from an annatto dye obtained from the fruit of the Bixa orellana tree and the blue-black color of their skin is from wet charcoal-water mix applied to the body.

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