Lenguas

Lenguas, an Indian nation of Gran Chaco, South America, between the rivers Pilcomayo and Paraguay about the Bolivian and Paraguayan frontiers. The Lenguas, i.e. "Tongues," are so called by the Spaniards from the little tongue-shaped wooden or bone ornament which they insert in the lower lip, and which is worn in the same way as the wooden disk of the Brazilian Botocudos. They are a branch of the widespread Payagua-Guaycuru family, the true national name being guiadge. Formerly very powerful, this fine race of aborigines has been nearly exterminated during their long wars with the settled Hispano-American populations.