Human Trophy Taking in the South American Gran Chaco

Abstract

Many South American indigenous groups practiced the taking and displaying of human body parts as trophies, and this custom extended into the Gran Chaco (Steward and Faron 1959:305). The primary focus of this chapter is the documentation of scalping among the Chacoan hunter-gatherers. Additionally, the practice of head hunting in the region along with the role that women played in the victory celebrations associated with the acquisition of such trophies will be reported.