The Tupi of coastal Brazil had migrated from further inland and resisted the Portuguese until the final defeat of their largest tribe in 1601. Europeans described them in armies of several thousand ferocious cannibals fighting mainly for revenge and for sacrificial victims to eat. They fought with long powerful bows, shooting in mass though not in volleys, then with a paddle-shaped club wielded two-handed with which they charged “like bulls” led by their chiefs. Some tribes used shields of bark or hide. Warriors were accompanied by women carrying baskets with food and hammocks, so providing an interesting addition to the camp. This is a colourful army, with bright feathers and face paint replacing clothes; and is feared by many wargamers. Hans Staden’s account of 1557 has many woodcuts of Tupi life, some reproduced by Heath. References: Armies of the 16th Century Vol 2 1. Heath, Hans Staden’s True History: An Account of Cannibal Captivity in Brazil N.1. Whitehead & M. Harbsneier (trans).
IV/29
TUPI CIRCA 1200 AD - 1601 AD
— Tupi Army CIRCA 1200 AD
List: 1 x General (3Wb), 6 x archers (3/4Lb), 4 x warriors (3Wb), 1 x warriors (3Wb) or archers (3/4Lb) or scouts (Ps)
Terrain: Tropical
Aggression: 1
Enemies:
IV/29 — TUPI CIRCA 1200 AD - 1601 AD
IV/72 — AMAZONIAN 1350 AD - 1662 AD