Southwest High School - Roundup Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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the headwaters of the Amazon, still practice the savage custom of beheading their victims, shrinking the heads, and displaying them as trophies. The people in South America vary in complexion. A deep brown skin is common in the mountains, while yellow predominates among the natives of the warmer regions. The native is slender and straight, his hair dark, his beard scant, and his eyes deep-set. To the native population are added peoples of foreign birth, principally of Spanish, Portugese, and Italian blood. A peculiar characteristic of the native tribes of Brazil is their tendency to despon- dency as a result of malnutrition and improper sanitation. Although many of the native tribes cling to their old tribal religions, some have been converted to Christianity. The predominant religion among the Spaniards and other immi- grants is the Roman Catholic. In the large cities there are beautiful cathedrals and churches in addition to the many public buildings. The educational system is improving, and the citizens are coming more and more into their own rights. The early Spaniards established universities after receiving charters granted by the King or Pope. In general, only the wealthy could afford an education. Private tutors or primary schools con- ducted by the church trained pupils for the universities, while the poor remained almost illiterate. Through Sarmiento of Argentina, interest in elementary education was introduced from abroad, and although elementary schools are not uniform throughout the continent, they seem to be effective since illiteracy has been reduced from ninety to fifty per cent in the last fifty years. Education has been and still is hampered by the sharp class distinction. The upper classes send their children to private schools, from there to secondary schools, and then to the university. The elementary school teachers, recruited generally from the lower classes, are often incompetent. Most of the secondary schools are taught by students of the universities. The language is fast becoming entirely Spanish, since the schools are doing away with the native tongues of the various tribes. Vocational schools ha-Ve been removed to separate buildings. Elementary educa- tion is now compulsory and is in general directed by the government. Normal schools are springing up, but there is yet much to be done. In addition to the three R's there has also been some encouragement of the line arts. A closer bond has been established between the United States and South America by exchange scholarships and fellowships. South American students and teachers come to the United States, study our educational system, and take back new ideas with them. But however modern South America may become, may it never lose the peculiar charm of its former existence-the gay senioritas and handsome senors, singing and dancing to the music that has come to signify the romantic land of color and beauty, and of bright flowers and brilliant birds. SIMON BOLIVAR By RUTH DONADON Rebel Liberator George Washington of South America We salute you! Driven by fires Pursued by enemies You rallied to your banner the men who Wrested from tyranny The precious independence of their countries. Long may you live in the memory of your South American people. Long may you stand a symbol of Iiberty to the oppressed in all lands. Nineteen

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SOUTH AMERICAN PEOPLES By RUTH CERP , HE tango with its strongly accented rhythm: dark handsome F caballeros, strumming their guitars, singing sweet serenades surrounded by vivid flowers in the patios of the white stucco haciendas-all these and many more pictures are called to mind when anyone mentions South America. South America -a truly magical name! The South America that we hear of is beautiful and romantic. We think of colorful street fairs, of rows upon rows of booths where gaily colored cloths and flowers are sold, of pottery, and of trinkets that tourists take back with them as souvenirs, We think of black eyed senoritas in their bright dresses and lace mantillas, and of the senors in their full trousers, boleros, and brilliant sashes. Almost equally famous are the delightful haciendas, surrounded by beautiful gardens of vari-colored flowers. The people of South America love color and flowers so well that they grow them inside the houses as well as outside. Homes-the centers of them with no roof but the blue sky! In the center of these patios are marble fountains often alive with fish and surrounded by vines. Brilliant birds sometimes nest in the vines and rich flowers. The houses have beautiful wrought-iron banisters and rails around the ever present bal- conies. In such a setting, it is not surprising that the faultless manners and grace of the senors make foreign ladies sigh and foreign men envious. There is, however, another side of South America that is not so common in novels and movies as the other: it is more realistic and important, but equally colorful. Like North America, South America was occupied by Indians at the time of discovery. Although the tribes different in appearance, language, and customs, all were true American Indians. Some lived in a comparatively high degree of civilization, while others were fierce savages. In Colombia, Equador, Peru. Bolivia, and Chili, where the more advanced tribes lived, many relics of ancient art and many ruins of old buildings were found. Best known of all the old cultures is that of Peru. The Indians of ancient Peru were industrious and worked hard in their diligently cultivated fields which they irrigated by systems of canals. They wove cotton cloth from which they made good clothing, often decorated with designs in colored beads. They bred the llama, and when it was tame, trained it for a pack animal. Since they could not write, they kept accounts by knotted cords called guipus. Differently colored cords were used for different things, and knots of varying sizes stood for varying numbers. After the discovery of America two nations gained possession of most of South America-Spain and Portugal. Portugal secured what is now Brazil: Spain gained almost all the rest. Most of the Spaniards settled where the native tribes had already been living a quiet and contented life. In those districts the tribes and the Spaniards mingled, so today there is a large 'mestizo', or mixed population whose mode of life has been influenced by the customs of Spain. In Peru, Brazil, Chili, and the Argentine Republic we find people who are making progress, and in whose cities are fine buildings, handsome parks, and beautiful statues. It is a great mistake to think that any of the South American countries are uncivilized. However, even in countries like Peru and Chili, which are centers of modern life, there are many pure-blooded Indians who still keep up their old life and customs. In the dense forests that border the mighty Amazon and its tribu- taries, and in the eastern Andes, are some Indian tribes still savage or in a state of low barbarism. The Jivaros, a tribe in eastern Equador living near ff? Q all - - , I - 'ag' to their sweethearts on vine-covered balconies: fountains f I i .- Ag 'ia N I Eighteen

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