Case file · Folklore / legend
The Jurupari masks shown at Ipanoré
In 1883 Franciscan missionaries on the Uaupés river showed sacred Jurupari masks and instruments, which women may not see, to women and children at Ipanoré. Outraged communities forced the missionaries out.
1883 CE · 0.27, -69.08 · status: account
The account
The episode shows how central the secret flutes of the Jurupari rites are to Tukanoan and Arawakan peoples of the region.
The sceptical view
Known through travellers' and missionaries' accounts; dates and details vary between sources.