Head Shrinking and Power Seeking: The Jivaro Indian Tribe

The shrunken heads or better known as the Tsantsa of Jivaros’, an artifact left to us from many tribes ago. These heads not only symbolize barbaric living, but horrific rituals that have taken place in history. This tribe unfortunately was not the only ones in history to take off another’s head to show power over one another. Although, head shrinking was indeed only unique to the Jivaro Indians and was not repeated by any other tribe in history. The process that had to be performed, was either taking off another’s head during a bloody battle or taking off an enemy’s head for a religious significance. Most of the heads that were left in time are donated to museums or kept because some still believe they are “magical.”

Beheading an enemy during battle first started with the Qin Dynasty, in Ancient China. It was proven in time that after a soldier of the way killed another, they would behead them. After beheading them, they would wear their heads along their waists to show what they have done to the apposing side, and to terrorize their enemies. Beheading was a frequent task performed by Qin Shi Huangdi , he would behead people for disobeying his Qin laws. Shrinking heads was not apart of this Dynasty, but was left up to …show more content…
The Jivaro’s were worshippers of many Gods; they believed that every part of nature had some kind of power deeper than the plant, to help them grow. Not only were they known for shrinking heads, they also hunted with a vengeance. They would force their wives to hunt with them using a blowgun and a poisoned dart. This dart was full of such a strong poison; it would instantly stop the heartbeat of any animal that it came in contact