Designs and Meaning
Marajoara designs are in general geometric and appear to be astract to most of the
observers. However, they depict mithological beings, mirrored on the local fauna.
Snakes, caimans, lizards, vultures, owls, turtles, monkeys and scorpions are the most
common themes, portraited on a variety of objects. The animals are representated
both on three-dimensional and bi-dimensional media, so the comparison between
make it possible to recognize the themes on the geometric designs.
Although we can not assign specific meanings to the designs, it is possible to show
what they represent, and compare the subject with themes of Amazonian mythology.
Here we will show some of the possibilities we have explored with Marajoara
Iconography.
observers. However, they depict mithological beings, mirrored on the local fauna.
Snakes, caimans, lizards, vultures, owls, turtles, monkeys and scorpions are the most
common themes, portraited on a variety of objects. The animals are representated
both on three-dimensional and bi-dimensional media, so the comparison between
make it possible to recognize the themes on the geometric designs.
Although we can not assign specific meanings to the designs, it is possible to show
what they represent, and compare the subject with themes of Amazonian mythology.
Here we will show some of the possibilities we have explored with Marajoara
Iconography.
Snake Skin Patterns
The Marajoara, as many other amazonian peoples,
may have believed that an ancestral snake was their
protector, and cared for their well-being. They may
have thought the snake was responsible for the
abundance of fish, their main source of protein. The
mythological snake would have protected the fish
and assured their reproduction. Snake sking
patterns can be found on virtually any pottery
object, following consistent trends and associations
of designs.
may have believed that an ancestral snake was their
protector, and cared for their well-being. They may
have thought the snake was responsible for the
abundance of fish, their main source of protein. The
mythological snake would have protected the fish
and assured their reproduction. Snake sking
patterns can be found on virtually any pottery
object, following consistent trends and associations
of designs.
| The snakes have in general a triangular head (as the popular known jararaca), and their skin is marked by characteristic designs. |
In most cases, the snake-skin patterns
consist of two elements that are repeated
along a band, generally placed around
the vessel, close to the mouth. They also
are used on tangas, as shown below.
consist of two elements that are repeated
along a band, generally placed around
the vessel, close to the mouth. They also
are used on tangas, as shown below.
Designs on Tangas
Some scholars noticed that the variation of
designs on decorated tangas followed some
consistent patterns, possibly of symbolic
significance. Meggers and Evans idea that the
patterns had social and religious meanings was
further developed by Schaan, studying their
iconography. It is suggested that the three
decorative fields conveyed different messages,
the first one related to age, the second one
related to tribal affiliation or lineage (snake
skin patterns) and the third one to family or
group membership.
designs on decorated tangas followed some
consistent patterns, possibly of symbolic
significance. Meggers and Evans idea that the
patterns had social and religious meanings was
further developed by Schaan, studying their
iconography. It is suggested that the three
decorative fields conveyed different messages,
the first one related to age, the second one
related to tribal affiliation or lineage (snake
skin patterns) and the third one to family or
group membership.
| Female Pubic Covering (Colors were added to show the different decorative fields) |
The studies performed on tangas, so far, have pointed to their gender, age, and
social status significance. Their widespread occurrence in the archaeological
record, therefore, would make it possible to access female’s presence and activities
in Marajoara mounds.
social status significance. Their widespread occurrence in the archaeological
record, therefore, would make it possible to access female’s presence and activities
in Marajoara mounds.
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