Chiriguanos

Chiriguanos, a large South American nation, forming an important branch of the great Guarani family; they inhabit the plains west of Gran Chaco, near the foothills of the Western Andes, between the Pilcomayo and Vermejo affluents of the Paraguay river. The Chiriguanos take a conspicuous place in the records of the early Spanish settlers, and they are still practically independent of the Argentine government. They are a fine, manly race, tall and well-proportioned, of a light coppery complexion, with dark eyes and very long black hair. They have attained a relatively high degree of civilisation. Their women are described by M. de Moussy as the most courteous and agreeable of all native women (Description de la Confederation Argentine, vol. ii. p. 184).