The indigenous population of Brazil was divided into large indigenous nations composed of several ethnic groups among which stand out the large groups like Tupis, Guaranis, Gês and Arawaks. The former were subdivided into Tupiniquins and Tupinambás, among many subdivision of the others. The boundaries between these groups and their subgroups, before the arrival of Europeans, were marked by wars between them, arising from differences in culture, language and morale.[34] These wars also involved large-scale military actions on land and water, with ritual cannibalism on POWs.[35][36] While heredity had some weight, leadership status was a more subdued over time, than allocated in succession ceremonies and conventions.[37] Slavery among the Indians had a different meaning than it had for Europ