ASHUKAMAKI (Ah shuh kah mah kee)
A vine used to thicken the curare poison.
AYORI-TOTO (Ah yo ree toh toh)
A vine used to poison fish.
EPENA (Eh peh nah)
A hallucinatory snuff derived from either the bark of theepena tree or the seeds of the hisioma tree. Both substances are prepared and taken in the same fashion.
HEKURAS (Heh kuh rahs)
Tiny humanoid spirits that dwell in rocks and mountains. Shamans contact the hekuras by taking the hallucinatory snuff epena. Through chants the shamans lure the hekuras into their chests. Successful shamans can control these spirits at will.
MAMUCORI (Mah muh ko ree)
A thick vine used to make the curare poison.
MOMO (Moh moh)
A nutlike edible seed.
NABRUSHI (Nah bru shee)
A six-foot-long club used for fighting.
NAPE (Nah peh)
A foreigner. Anyone who is not an Indian, regardless of color, race, or nationality.
OKO-SHIKI (Oh koh shee kee)
Magical plants used for malevolent purposes.
ONOTO (Oh no toh)
A red vegetable dye derived from the crushed, boiled seeds of the Bixa orellana. The dye is used for decorating the face and body as well as baskets, arrowheads, and ornaments.
PISHAANSI (Pee sha han see)
A large leaf used for wrapping meat, for cooking, or as a receptacle.
PLATANILLO (Plah tah neeyo)
A large, broad, sturdy leaf used for wrapping and as ground cover.
POHORO (Ph oh roh)
Wild cacao.
RASHA (Rah sha)
The cultivated spiny-trunked peach palm. Highly valued for its fruit, which it produces for fifty years and longer. After the plantain, it is probably the most important plant in the gardens. These palms are owned individually by whoever planted them.
SHABONO (Sha boh noh)
A permanent Yanomama settlement consisting of a circle of huts around an open clearing.
SHAPORI (Sha poh ree)
A shaman, witch doctor, sorcerer.
SIKOMASIK (See kouw mah seek)
A whitish edible mushroom that grows on decaying tree trunks.
UNUCAI (Uh nuh kah ee)
A man who has killed an enemy.
WAITERI (Wah ee teh ree)
A brave, courageous warrior.
WAYAMOU (Wah yah mow)
The formal, ritualized ceremonial language used by the men when bartering.