The Matséshuntallkindsofrainforestcreaturesforfood.Pig-likepeccaries.Rabbit-sizedrodentscalledpacas.Wildturkeys.Tohuntthem,theyuseabowand arrow.
Kane’sgrouphadonebowandonearrow.Itbelongedtothebesthunter.Heshareditwitheveryone.Becausetherewasonlyonearrow,ithadtobefoundaftereveryshot.Ifitbroke,the Matsésfixedtheshaftandkeptusing it.
Onenight,Kanewentalongonawildturkeyhunt.Kanewasamazedbythehunters’skill attrackinganimalsbysound.Theyknewexactlywhichanimalmadewhichsound.
TheMatséscouldalsomimic,orcopy,ananimal’scalltofindit.Thentheymovedalongnoiselessly.Kaneandhisdadweretoonoisy.So,theyhadtostaybehinduntiltheMatsésfoundtheanimaltheywere after.
Suddenly,theguidespottedawildturkey.HehandedKanethebowandarrow.Whoosh!Kanejust missed!
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_september_2018/amazon_adventure_-_challenge_2_hunting_for_supper/189945/bow_and_arrow.960_0_1.jpg)
Kanepractices witha bowand arrow.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_september_2018/amazon_adventure_-_challenge_2_hunting_for_supper/189946/creek.480_0_1.png)
Kanecrossesacreek onabridgehehelped build.
MatsésWays
Kanelearnedhowtotravelontheriver.Oneday,thegrouppaddledadugoutcanoe.Theycametoadifferentsettlement.TheMatséspeopleherestillfollowancient ways.
Peoplepiercetheirnoseswiththeribsofpalmleaves.Theselooklikewhiskers,andthepeoplelooklikejaguars.So,theyaresometimescalledthe “catpeople.”Menwearnecklacesmadeofjaguar teeth.
Beforeahunt,themensometimesholdceremoniestomakethemstrong.Inone,thehunterbreathesinsmoke.Inanother,thehunterburnshis skin!
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_september_2018/amazon_adventure_-_challenge_2_hunting_for_supper/189948/matses.640_0_1.jpg)
Thiswomanhaspiercedhernose.Sheusespiecesofpalmleaves.Shewantsthemtolooklikea cat's whiskers.
![](/nationalgeographic/trailblazer_september_2018/amazon_adventure_-_challenge_2_hunting_for_supper/189947/matses_jaguar.320_0_1.png)
jaguar