Las Cartas de Tacuabe by Manos del Uruguay
Tacuabé was a Charrúa native from Uruguay, an indigenous tribe that became extinct following European conquest and colonisation.
"Las Cartas de Tacuabé" were published by Manos del Uruguay, Montevideo, in 2001. Tacuabé was a Charrúa native from Uruguay, an indigenous tribe that became extinct following European conquest and colonisation. Tacuabé was one of a group of four prisoners taken to Paris in 1833 to be displayed as a circus attraction… (read more on Wikipedia).
Amongst their possessions was a pack of playing cards made from pieces of hide, attributed to Tacuabé. The pack was incomplete - only 30 cards survived - so the remaining cards were 're-created' by Manos del Uruguay to make a complete 40-card pack as homage to Tacuabé and the memory of the Charrúa people in Uruguayan history. The designs have been further augmented by the addition of 'pintas', index numbers and corner pips, and the number values written in Charrúa language on each card so that they can be used to play Truco.
Above: Las Cartas de Tacuabe by Manos del Uruguay, Montevideo, 2001.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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