Difference between revisions of "De Morgues' "Hermaphrodites", 1564"
(New page: In 1564, Le Moyne traveled to Florida as an artist with the French expedition commanded by Lcudonnlere. About twenty years later, in London, Le Moyne wrote a travel memoir accompanied by s...) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | In 1564, Le Moyne traveled to Florida as an artist with the French expedition commanded by | + | In 1564, Le Moyne traveled to Florida as an artist with the French expedition commanded by Laudonniere. About twenty years later, in London, Le Moyne wrote a travel memoir accompanied by sketches. These pictures and descriptions are now known only by the engravings and translations made of them by Theodore de Bry first published in 1591. |
| + | |||
| + | Le Moyne's text reads: | ||
| + | Hermaphrodites, partaking of the nature of each sex, are quite common in these parts, and are considered odious by the Indians themselves, who, however, employ them, as they are strong, instead of beasts of burden. When a chief goes out to war, the hermaphrodites carry the provisions. When any Indian is dead of wounds or disease, two hermaphrodites take a couple of stout poles, fasten cross-pieces on them, and attach to these a mat woven of reeds. On this they place the deceased.. . . Then [the hermaphrodites] take thongs of hide, three or four fingers broad, fasten the ends to the ends of the poles, and put the middle over their heads, which are remarkably hard; and in this manner they carry the deceased to the place of burial. Persons having contagious diseases are also carried to places appointed for the purpose, on the shoulders of the hermaphrodites, who supply [those ill] with food, and take care of them, until they get quite well again. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Native American]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jaques Le Moyne de Morgues]] | ||
Revision as of 10:25, 17 April 2008
In 1564, Le Moyne traveled to Florida as an artist with the French expedition commanded by Laudonniere. About twenty years later, in London, Le Moyne wrote a travel memoir accompanied by sketches. These pictures and descriptions are now known only by the engravings and translations made of them by Theodore de Bry first published in 1591.
Le Moyne's text reads: Hermaphrodites, partaking of the nature of each sex, are quite common in these parts, and are considered odious by the Indians themselves, who, however, employ them, as they are strong, instead of beasts of burden. When a chief goes out to war, the hermaphrodites carry the provisions. When any Indian is dead of wounds or disease, two hermaphrodites take a couple of stout poles, fasten cross-pieces on them, and attach to these a mat woven of reeds. On this they place the deceased.. . . Then [the hermaphrodites] take thongs of hide, three or four fingers broad, fasten the ends to the ends of the poles, and put the middle over their heads, which are remarkably hard; and in this manner they carry the deceased to the place of burial. Persons having contagious diseases are also carried to places appointed for the purpose, on the shoulders of the hermaphrodites, who supply [those ill] with food, and take care of them, until they get quite well again.
