CARAYAN, an independent linguistic stock of South Ameri can Indians, named from the Caraya (Karaya), its most im portant tribe. The Carayan tribes live in central Brazil on the Araguaya river from near its mouth south to about 14° S. lat. Krause finds their culture very similar to that of the Arawakan and Cariban tribes of Guiana, and thinks the Carayas may have come to their historic habitat from north of the Amazon. They are a primarily agricultural and fishing folk, living in rather crude thatched huts, and showing in general a simple type of culture. Their hair is occasionally curly. The men practise kynodesmy, while the women wear a fringed girdle. Tattoo, body painting and labrets constitute their ornament, together with arm and leg bands of various sorts. The bow, club and spear are their chief weapons. They have no form of armour or shield. Dug-out canoes are used for river travel. Pottery is made, but they have no textiles. Monogamy prevails except for chiefs, who have very little power. The dead are buried and then after an interval the bones are exhumed and buried in a pot. There are elaborate dance ceremonies, employing masks, held in connection with puberty festivals, at the men's houses where the youths live, but these ceremonials have thus far not been adequately de scribed.