Wife beater" (cocosi); tapir hide whip with wood handle made by men; used disciplining female family members, grudge matches, and tests of endurance; length 4 feet, 3 inches.
Donor:
John Howland Rowe, Patsy Jean Adams, and University Appropriation
Collection place:
San Bernardo village, Upper Purús River, Peru
Verbatim coll. place:
Peru; Upper Purús River; San Bereardo village; Culina tribe
Culture or time period:
Culina
Collector:
Patsy Jean Adams
Collection date:
1966
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Whips (striking tools)
Function:
1.7 Fighting, Warfare, and Social Control
Accession date:
1964 and 1966
Context of use:
Used for what purpose: 1) For discipline: To wife, sister, niece, or any other member of the family (especially girls) from one who has authority over them. 2) Sport: In this sport the entire village participates man against man, and woman against woman. 3) Judgment: If one person wishes to see another judged he may call for the "cocosi." He is also there to receive the "cocosi." Then the two will use their whips on each other in front of at least two witnesses. How used: One at a time to receive stripe and see which one can take the most. The village champion is the one who can take the most. When used: In beating—either for discipline or at a time the whole village participates in sports. By whom used (e.g., men or women): Just women or just men or both. Made of what materials: Made of a rawhide whip with handle attached. Handle may be made of any one of various woods. Made by (e.g., men or women, tribe): (By hand) of the Culina tribe, by men.
Department:
South America (except Ancient Peru)
Comment:
Kensinger gives name in idiom as "Ainbu Kuxati" (ain=woman, bu=collective, Kuxa=to beat, ti=thing); see accession envelope and file card for 16-11504 for additional information.