Tembetá: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Body piercing}} |
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[[File:Tembetá en cerámica moche.jpg|thumb|[[Moche (culture)|Moche]] ceramic effigy vessel featuring a man with a tembetá. Museo de Historia natural de [[Valparaiso]], Chile]] |
[[File:Tembetá en cerámica moche.jpg|thumb|[[Moche (culture)|Moche]] ceramic effigy vessel featuring a man with a tembetá. Museo de Historia natural de [[Valparaiso]], Chile]] |
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A '''tembetá''' ([[Guaraní language]]: '' |
A '''tembetá''' ([[Guaraní language]]: ''tembe'': lip, ''ita'': stone.) or '''barbote''' ([[Argentina]]) is a metal or stone rod placed in lower lip piercings by members of some [[indigenous peoples in South America]]. It has been used since the [[Neolithic]] period by different human groups for [[body modification]], spiritual protection, and indication of [[sexual maturity]]. |
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== Pre-Columbian use == |
== Pre-Columbian use == |
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According to the first studies of Jorge Fernández, tembetás originated in [[Planalto]], [[Brazil]]. Their use expanded as far south as [[El Quisco]], [[Chile]], and they were adopted by indigenous groups such as the [[Guarani people|Guarani]], [[Tupi people|Tupi]], and [[Chiriguano]] peoples.<ref>[ |
According to the first studies of Jorge Fernández, tembetás originated in [[Brazilian Highlands|Planalto]], [[Brazil]]. Their use expanded as far south as [[El Quisco]], [[Chile]], and they were adopted by indigenous groups such as the [[Guarani people|Guarani]], [[Tupi people|Tupi]], and [[Chiriguano]] peoples.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041126161505/http://www.rionegro.com.ar/arch200201/s20j13.html "Los aritos eran gritos de guerra en las comunidades indígenas."] ''Sociedad Rio Negro.'' 20 Jan 2002. Retrieved 17 March 2012. {{in lang|es}}</ref> |
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== Sociological importance == |
== Sociological importance == |
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== Corporal use and skill of placement == |
== Corporal use and skill of placement == |
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The tembetá is a male adornment in the lower lip. Several men and candidates would meet and drink [[chicha]], a fermented beverage made from maize, to dull the pain. A specialist would perforate the lip with a thick wooden needle. The tembetá would be inserted, and the person would wear it for the remainder of his life. |
The tembetá is a male adornment in the lower lip. Several men and candidates would meet and drink [[chicha]], a [[fermented beverage]] made from maize, to dull the pain. A specialist would perforate the lip with a thick wooden needle. The tembetá would be inserted, and the person would wear it for the remainder of his life. |
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Participants would ask during the ceremony that the tembetá protect its owner from death. To this end, it was placed near the mouth, a potential entry of damaging forces. Indeed, it was a very important amulet, more than an adornment. |
Participants would ask during the ceremony that the tembetá protect its owner from death. To this end, it was placed near the mouth, a potential entry of damaging forces. Indeed, it was a very important amulet, more than an adornment. |
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[[Molle culture]] used the adornment, made of rock, preferably of beautiful colors. It consists of a thin curved plate molded to the gums. In the centre was a button, either cylindrical or sharply-pointed, that penetrated the lip 5 to 7 cm. |
[[El Molle culture]] used the adornment, made of rock, preferably of beautiful colors. It consists of a thin curved plate molded to the gums. In the centre was a button, either cylindrical or sharply-pointed, that penetrated the lip 5 to 7 cm. |
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== Geographical distribution == |
== Geographical distribution == |
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=== Guarani people === |
=== Guarani people === |
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The tembetá, called "labrete",<ref>[http://www.museobarbero.org.py/visita_guiada.htm The Indigenous Manufacture Across Some Objects Of The Collections Of The Museum]</ref> was used by the tribes of the [[Guarani people|Guarani]]. According to archaeological findings, the Guarani tembetá was made of [[quartz]] in the shape of a "T", 10 cm in length. The working of the quartz was done by a [[shaman]]. Quartz correlates to ''ita-verá'' (brilliant stone) of the mythical one ''Tupá Overasú'', and of the great one ''Tupá of the Storm''. |
The tembetá, called "labrete",<ref>[http://www.museobarbero.org.py/visita_guiada.htm The Indigenous Manufacture Across Some Objects Of The Collections Of The Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221153903/http://www.museobarbero.org.py/visita_guiada.htm |date=2009-02-21 }}</ref> was used by the tribes of the [[Guarani people|Guarani]]. According to archaeological findings, the Guarani tembetá was made of [[quartz]] in the shape of a "T", 10 cm in length. The working of the quartz was done by a [[shaman]]. Quartz correlates to ''ita-verá'' (brilliant stone) of the mythical one ''Tupá Overasú'', and of the great one ''Tupá of the Storm''. |
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=== In Chile === |
=== In Chile === |
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{{see also|Origin of the Mapuche}} |
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The tembetá was used in several pre-Columbian cultures in Chile. The principal one was |
The tembetá was used in several pre-Columbian cultures in Chile. The principal one was [[El Molle culture]], which brought the tembetá from the Planalto of Brazil. Cultures derived from the Molle were the [[Diaguita]], [[Llolleo culture|Llolleo]], and [[Bato (culture)|Bato]]. |
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In the Llolleo culture the tembetá was of cardinal importance, but among the [[Bato culture|Bato]], it was more on the level of a personal adornment, without any spiritual connotations. |
In the Llolleo culture the tembetá was of cardinal importance, but among the [[Bato culture|Bato]], it was more on the level of a personal adornment, without any spiritual connotations. |
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== Social differentiation == |
== Social differentiation == |
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The tembetá offers protection against the negative action of the "owners of the nature"; it is the ritual adornment of the "souls that travel towards the land of beyond".{{cn|date=March 2012}} Many neolithic tribes of the Amazon demonstrated a deep scorn for peoples that did not use the tembetá. |
The tembetá offers protection against the negative action of the "owners of the nature"; it is the ritual adornment of the "souls that travel towards the land of beyond".{{cn|date=March 2012}} Many neolithic tribes of the Amazon demonstrated a deep scorn for peoples that did not use the tembetá.{{cn|date=October 2014}} |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://www.antropos.galeon.com/html/guaranies.htm The Guaranis] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080513164825/http://www.antropos.galeon.com/html/guaranies.htm The Guaranis] |
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* [http://www.museobarbero.org.py/visita_guiada.htm Indian Manufacture objects's Museum guided visit] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090221153903/http://www.museobarbero.org.py/visita_guiada.htm Indian Manufacture objects's Museum guided visit] |
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* [http://www.tattoo69.cl/investigaciones.html Corporal modification in Chile] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080701210509/http://www.tattoo69.cl/investigaciones.html Corporal modification in Chile] |
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* [http://escf40.iespana.es/pueblos%20prehispanicos.htm Atacama's pre-Hispanic Cultures] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090326081505/http://escf40.iespana.es/pueblos%20prehispanicos.htm Atacama's pre-Hispanic Cultures] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tembeta}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tembeta}} |
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[[Category:Pre-Columbian cultures]] |
[[Category:Pre-Columbian cultures]] |
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[[Category:Indigenous |
[[Category:Indigenous jewelry of the Americas]] |
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[[Category:Brazilian |
[[Category:Brazilian clothing]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Culture of Bolivia]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Culture of Paraguay]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Culture of Chile]] |
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[[Category:Body piercing jewellery]] |
[[Category:Body piercing jewellery]] |
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[[Category:Guaraní words and phrases]] |
[[Category:Guaraní words and phrases]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:52, 20 September 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2012) |
A tembetá (Guaraní language: tembe: lip, ita: stone.) or barbote (Argentina) is a metal or stone rod placed in lower lip piercings by members of some indigenous peoples in South America. It has been used since the Neolithic period by different human groups for body modification, spiritual protection, and indication of sexual maturity.
Pre-Columbian use
[edit]According to the first studies of Jorge Fernández, tembetás originated in Planalto, Brazil. Their use expanded as far south as El Quisco, Chile, and they were adopted by indigenous groups such as the Guarani, Tupi, and Chiriguano peoples.[1]
Sociological importance
[edit]The tembetá played a part in initiation ceremonies, signifying the entry of young men into adult life. After these ceremonies, the men could marry and acquire the responsibilities of an adult male.
Corporal use and skill of placement
[edit]The tembetá is a male adornment in the lower lip. Several men and candidates would meet and drink chicha, a fermented beverage made from maize, to dull the pain. A specialist would perforate the lip with a thick wooden needle. The tembetá would be inserted, and the person would wear it for the remainder of his life.
Participants would ask during the ceremony that the tembetá protect its owner from death. To this end, it was placed near the mouth, a potential entry of damaging forces. Indeed, it was a very important amulet, more than an adornment.
El Molle culture used the adornment, made of rock, preferably of beautiful colors. It consists of a thin curved plate molded to the gums. In the centre was a button, either cylindrical or sharply-pointed, that penetrated the lip 5 to 7 cm.
Geographical distribution
[edit]The tembetá is a cultural feature of very wide distribution. It has been used by peoples of Africa, Asia, and the Americas and often it had, apart from it decorative value, a social meaning. Another variant was a pipe of stone, often talc, in the shape of letter "T". These pipe-shaped tembetás could be used in rites to smoke herbs with hallucinogenic properties.
Guarani people
[edit]The tembetá, called "labrete",[2] was used by the tribes of the Guarani. According to archaeological findings, the Guarani tembetá was made of quartz in the shape of a "T", 10 cm in length. The working of the quartz was done by a shaman. Quartz correlates to ita-verá (brilliant stone) of the mythical one Tupá Overasú, and of the great one Tupá of the Storm.
In Chile
[edit]The tembetá was used in several pre-Columbian cultures in Chile. The principal one was El Molle culture, which brought the tembetá from the Planalto of Brazil. Cultures derived from the Molle were the Diaguita, Llolleo, and Bato.
In the Llolleo culture the tembetá was of cardinal importance, but among the Bato, it was more on the level of a personal adornment, without any spiritual connotations.
Social differentiation
[edit]The tembetá offers protection against the negative action of the "owners of the nature"; it is the ritual adornment of the "souls that travel towards the land of beyond".[citation needed] Many neolithic tribes of the Amazon demonstrated a deep scorn for peoples that did not use the tembetá.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "Los aritos eran gritos de guerra en las comunidades indígenas." Sociedad Rio Negro. 20 Jan 2002. Retrieved 17 March 2012. (in Spanish)
- ^ The Indigenous Manufacture Across Some Objects Of The Collections Of The Museum Archived 2009-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
References
[edit]- Agüero Blanch, Vicente Orlando. "The tembetá: types and area of dispersion in the department Malargüe (Mendoza, Argentina)". Annals of archaeology and ethnology, Mendoza, 1965, 20p. 49–70: carte, ill., tab., bibliogr. p. 68–70