THREE GROUPS ARE INCLUDED HERE- BORUCA, BRIBRI AND CABECAS. THEY ARE ON THE SLOPES OF THE BRUNQUENA MOUNTAIN RANGE AND THE TALAMANCA MOUNTAINS.
IN 1945 THE BORUCA - TERRABA RESERVATIONS WAS FOUNDED. THE BRIBRI HAVE FOUR RESERVATIONS. THE CABECAR HAVE 6 RESERVATIONS. ALL THREE TRIBES HAVE INTERMARRIED AND SOME NON INDIANS LIVE ON THE RESERVATION. BY 1994 ALL THREE GROUPS HAD 19,000 FOLKS. THEY ALL SPEAK CHIBCHAN. THE EARLIEST DATE THEY MET THE SPANISH WAS IN 1502 WITH COLUMBUS. AT THESE TIMES THE COSTA RICANS WERE ORGANIZED INTO CHIEFDOMS. THE VILLAGES OF THE BOUCA AND NEIGHBORS WERE DESTROYED IN 1563. THE INDIANS WERE REASSIGNED INTO COLONIAL SOCIAL UNITS. MISSIONS AND ECONIENDA. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE RETAINED THEIR ANCESTRAL CULTURE. THE BORUCA WERE PACIFIED BY 1608. BY 1629 A VILLAGE OF BORUCA WAS BUILT. IT WAS A MULE STOP AS THEY WENT FROM THE CAPITAL OF CARTAGO TO PANAMA. DURING LATE 1600'S . BORUCA WAS ORGANIZED FOR COLONIAL FUNCTIONS - A TOWN HALL , COMMUNITY CENTER, SHELTER FOR TRAVELERS AND 12 HUTS.
BETWEEN 1848 - 1875 THE AREA REMAINED SPARSELY POPULATED. BY BUILDING THE PAN AMERICAN HIGHWAY THEY OPENED UP THE REGION TO MASSIVE IMMIGRATION OF NON INDIANS. THE FIRST NO INDIANS ARRIVED IN 1848 FROM COSTA RICA. ETHNIC CONFLICT AROSE BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITION BETWEEN LAND AND OTHER RESOURCES. THE FIRST NON INDIANS ARRIVED IN 1848 FROM COSTA RICA. ETHNIC CONFLICT AROSE BECAUSE OF THE COMPETITION BETWEEN LAND AND OTHER RESOURCES.
THE EARLY SPANISH RECOGNIZED THE BRIBRI AND CABACAR AS ONE GROUP AS THEY HAD CLOSE LANGUAGE WITH AND CULTURAL TRAITS FROM EUROPEAN INFLUENCES. A MAJOR REVOLT AGAINST THE SPANISH REVOLT WAS IN 1610. AFTER 1882 THEY BUILT PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND EXPANDED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS. DURING THE LATE 1880'S THE BRIBRI AND CABECAR CLANS WERE ORDERED BY A HIGH RANKING CHIEF- KPA. HE WAS SACRED AND NO ONE COULD TOUCH HIM, LOOK AT HIM, OR SPEAK TO HIM DIRECTLY! THEIR LAST KING DIED IN 1910. IN EARLY 1990'S THE ABORIGINAL CULTURE IS DISAPPEARING BUT THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO ARE USING THE OLD TRADITION.
BORUCA IS A TOWN JUST SOUTH OF SAN JOSE. THEIR HAMLETS LIVE CLOSE TO THE GRANDE DE TERRABA RIVER. THE ROADS ARE ROUGH HERE. SOME OF THEIR HOUSES HAVE STEEP PEAKS WITH THATCHED SAVANNA GRASS ROOFS. THEIR HOUSE WALLS ARE OF WOOD BOARDS. MOST OTHER BUILDINGS HAVE METAL ROOFS. MOST HOUSES HAVE RUNNING WATER , SHOWERS, SINKS AND ELECTRICITY. THE TOWN HAS TELEPHONE BOOTHS.
THE BRIBRI AND CABECARHAVE MORE DISPERSED SETTLEMENTS. THEY BUILT RECTILINEAR OR OVAL SHAPED ROOFS. THE CONICAL HOUSE REFLECTED THE CULTURAL REVITALIZATION. THIS HOUSE TYPE REFLECTS THE COSMOLOGICAL VIEWS OF THE TALAMANCA. THE THATCHED ROOF HOUSES ARE REPLACED BY PAINTED FARM HOUSES.
THESE THREE GROUPS PLANTED BEANS AND MANIOC, SWEET POTATOES, ROOT CROPS, PUMPKINS, PEACH PALMS, COCOAL, PLANTATIONS BANANAS, RICE, AND COFEE. THEY HAVE PLANTED OLD WORLD FRUIT. TREES AND HAVE IMPROVED SEEDS AND INTRODUCED NEW CROPS. SINCE THE LATE 1940'S THE CULTIVATION OF GARDEN VEGETATABLES HAS BEEN TAUGHT IN GRADE SCHOOLS. THESE TRIBES DEPEND ON COCOA, AND PLANTATIONS AS CASH CROPS, AS WELL AS CORN AND BEANS. HUNTING AND FISHING HAVE SUPPLEMENTED AGRICULTURE. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE RESTRICTED OR ABSENT BECAUSE OF THE REDUCTION OF FORESTS. WILD PLANTS ARE COLLECTED FOR MEDICINE AND MATERIALS FOR BUILDING AND CRAFTS. PEOPLE WORK AS TEACHERS, HEALTH CARE, POLICE, GUARDS, ELECTRICIANS, GOVERNMENT JOBS, ETC.
TRADE HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT. THE BRIBRIAND CALICAR CAME TO THE VILLAGE OF BORUCA TO TRADE BOWS AND ARROWS, CORD BAGS, BASKETS, AND FOREST PRODUCTS. THE BORUCA BROUGHT DYED WOVEN MATERIALS AND SALT.
MEN CLEAR LAND TO RAISE LIVESTOCK. WOMEN PLANT , HARVEST AND TRANSPORT CROPS. WOMEN MAY CARRY LOADS WHILE MEN WALK AHEAD WITH A MACHETE. WIVES MAY HELP IN THE HUSBAND'S FIELD. BOTH MEN ABD WOMEN RAISE LIVESTOCK.
MOST MARRIAGES TODAY OCCUR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE TWO SETS OF PARENTS DECIDE IF THE COUPLE SHOULD GET MARRIED. THE BRIBRI AND CABECAR TEND TO FOLLOW NATIVE CUSTOM. IN TRADITIONAL TIMES GRANDMOTHERS AND MOTHERS MAY HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF INFLUENCE ON THE DECISION. THE SON IN LAW COMES TO LIVE WITH THE BRIDE'S PARENTS.
NUCLEAR FAMILIES ARE COMMON AND OLDER GENERATIONS ARE INVITED INTO THE HOUSEHOLD. THE BORUCA MEN PREFER PREFER MALE CHILDREN. THE FOUR YEAR OLD GIRL MAY TAKE CARE OF THEIR SISTERS. ALL THREE GROUPS HAVE WAYS TO PREVENT MISCARRIAGE AND PREGNANCY!
MOST BORUCA ARE CATHOLIC. MOST LEGENDS AND MYTHS ARE CONSIDERED THINGS OF THE PAST. SPIRITUAL BEINGS RELATED TO NATURE ARE IMPORTANT IN THIS COSMOLOGY.
THE BORUCA ASSIST THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN TENDING RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS. THE BORUCA ASSIST THE CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN TENDING RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS, TEACHING, AND LEADING PRAYERS. THE THREE GROUPS CELEBRATED THE COSTA RICAN'S NATIONAL HOLIDAYS WITH ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY THE SCHOOLS. THEY HAVE CATHOLIC CEREMONIES SUCH AS THOSE WHO COMMEMORATE SAINTS, XMAS , HOLY WEEK. ETC. THE BORUCA CELEBRATE THE COMING OF SPANIARDS, DI DE LOS NEGRATOS IN DECEMBER 6. DRINKS AND FLUTES ARE PLAYED AND JOKES ARE TOLD AND MERRYMAKING PREVAILS. THEY HAVE A SEVERAL OTHER CEREMONIES DURING WHICH DURING WHICH THEY DRINK BEER FROM CORN.
THEY ALL RELY ON WESTERN MEDICINE. TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IS PROACTIVE IN HOMES. THE BORUCA HAVE FEMALE HEALERS . THEY HAVE HERBAL DRUGS FOR LOVE, HATE, MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, PREGNACY, AMNESIA,TO PREVENT PREGNANCY, TO CURE SNAKE BITES, AND OTHER ILLNESSES. NATIVE AND WESTERN MEDICINES ARE COMPLIMENTARY.
SHAMANS TREAT ILLNESS BY MEANS OF FASTING, HERBAL AND OTHER KINDS OF MEDICINES AND ESOTERIC CHANTS. THEY USE CRYSTALS.
IF THERE IS NO PRIEST IN THE VILLAGE WHEN A DEATH OCCURS, THE MAYOR RINGS THE CHURCH BELLS. THEY LET THE PERSON LIE IN THEIR HOME SO RELATIVES CAN VISIT. MEAT AND TOMALES AND BEVERAGES ARE SERVED. THE MAYOR RECITES A PRAYERS. PEOPLE MAY BRING MONEY TO HELP PAY FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES AND BRING FOOD. THEY PRAY FOR 9 DAYS. THEY BELIEVE THE SOUL GOES TO THE UNDERWORLD.
NATIVE LANGUAGES.COM
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
PAYA INDIAN IN HONDURAS
THEY NUMBER ABOUT 1800 FOLKS. THEY LIVE IN 11 VILLAGES. THEY HAVE PINE AND COVERED VALLEYS. THEY HAVE PINE AND SAVANNAH COVERED VALLEYS. THEIR POPULATION HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY REDUCED DUE TO ASSIMILATION AND COLONIAL PRESSURES. IN 1982 THERE WERE ONLY 7 RACIALLY PURE PAYA INDIANS.
BEFORE CONQUEST THERE WERE 1000'S ON 26,000 SQ. KM. THEY WERE SEMI NOMADIC PEOPLE THAT INHABITED THIS LAND AND GREW CROPS. ON HIS THIRD TRIP TO AMERICA IN 1498 CHRIS COLOMBUS MET THE PAYA AND CALLED THEM TAIYA. THEY WERE ATTACKED BY EUROPEAN DISEASES.
IN 1864 THE PAYAN WERE AWARDED LEGAL TITLE TO THE COMMUNAL LANDS. THE HONDURUS FRONTIER MOVED EASTWARD AND DEVELOPED THE PAYAN. BY THE 1920'S ONLY 600 PAYAN WERE LEFT! LOGGERS AND IMMIGRANTS PUT PRESSURE ON THE LANDS AND ERASED THIS CULTURE. THERE AREA FEW GROUPS LEFT. THEY GROW CORN, BEANS, AND CASSAVA WITH HOES AND DIGGING STICKS, AND MACHETES.
THEY RAISE OPUTIA, A CACTUS. THEY HUNT DEER, MONKEYS, PIGS, TURKEYS, IGUANA, AND TAPIR. MOSTLY PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR TRADITIONS OF THEIR ANCESTORS.
THE YUCCA ROOT IS PREPARED INTO TORTILLAS, TOMALE, AND THE PASTE IS BOILED LIKE CORN TOMALES. YUCCA ARE THEIR MAIN FOOD ITEM. KUNI IS A BEVERAGE OF A ROOT.
CORN IS USED AS A TOMALE IN ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, AND WITH BEANS RICE, EGGS, PORK, CHICKEN, AND MEAT. CHICHA IS A FERMENTED DRINK FROM THE YUCCA ROOT. CORN IS USED AS FRESH OR DRIED KERNALS AND THESE OR DRIED KERNALS AND THEY ADD SUGAR TO HELP WITH FERMENTATION. THEIR TRADITIONAL HOUSE WAS COMMUNAL FOR THREE FAMILIES. SOME SINGLE ROOM HOUSES WERE BUILT FOR ONE FAMILY WITH ONE BEDROOM. MORE RECENTLY THEY HAD WOODEN HOUSES OF TWO ROOMS, ONE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
BEFORE CONQUEST THERE WERE 1000'S ON 26,000 SQ. KM. THEY WERE SEMI NOMADIC PEOPLE THAT INHABITED THIS LAND AND GREW CROPS. ON HIS THIRD TRIP TO AMERICA IN 1498 CHRIS COLOMBUS MET THE PAYA AND CALLED THEM TAIYA. THEY WERE ATTACKED BY EUROPEAN DISEASES.
IN 1864 THE PAYAN WERE AWARDED LEGAL TITLE TO THE COMMUNAL LANDS. THE HONDURUS FRONTIER MOVED EASTWARD AND DEVELOPED THE PAYAN. BY THE 1920'S ONLY 600 PAYAN WERE LEFT! LOGGERS AND IMMIGRANTS PUT PRESSURE ON THE LANDS AND ERASED THIS CULTURE. THERE AREA FEW GROUPS LEFT. THEY GROW CORN, BEANS, AND CASSAVA WITH HOES AND DIGGING STICKS, AND MACHETES.
THEY RAISE OPUTIA, A CACTUS. THEY HUNT DEER, MONKEYS, PIGS, TURKEYS, IGUANA, AND TAPIR. MOSTLY PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR TRADITIONS OF THEIR ANCESTORS.
THE YUCCA ROOT IS PREPARED INTO TORTILLAS, TOMALE, AND THE PASTE IS BOILED LIKE CORN TOMALES. YUCCA ARE THEIR MAIN FOOD ITEM. KUNI IS A BEVERAGE OF A ROOT.
CORN IS USED AS A TOMALE IN ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, AND WITH BEANS RICE, EGGS, PORK, CHICKEN, AND MEAT. CHICHA IS A FERMENTED DRINK FROM THE YUCCA ROOT. CORN IS USED AS FRESH OR DRIED KERNALS AND THESE OR DRIED KERNALS AND THEY ADD SUGAR TO HELP WITH FERMENTATION. THEIR TRADITIONAL HOUSE WAS COMMUNAL FOR THREE FAMILIES. SOME SINGLE ROOM HOUSES WERE BUILT FOR ONE FAMILY WITH ONE BEDROOM. MORE RECENTLY THEY HAD WOODEN HOUSES OF TWO ROOMS, ONE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
WEEKEND AT APPLE FESTIVAL AND LUTHER BURBANK FARM
I WENT TO THE APPLE FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY AND IT WAS VERY HOT. IT WAS A SMALLER FAIR THAN I REMEMBER IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.. I APPRECIATED THE MUSIC THAT WAS LIVE AND BROUGHT MY OWN LUNCH. I CHATTED WITH SOME OF THE VENDORS . IT WAS HELD AT IVES PARK WHERE MOST PEOPLE WERE DRINKING ALL KINDS OF DRINKS TO KEEP COOL. I REALLY ENJOYED LISTENING TO A PERUVIAQN FLUTIST WHO I HAD SEEN AT ANOTHER FAIR. I BOUGHT ONE OF HIS CD'S BEFORE.. HE MADE HIS FLUTES AND THEY WERE AMPLIFIED- HE DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. I TOLD HIM I ENJOYED THE MUSIC. THEN I NOTICED THE GUIDE AT THE FAIR INDICATED THAT ANOTHER ATTRACTION IN THE AREA WAS LUTHER BURBANK'S EXPERIMENTAL FARM.
SO AFTER EXITING THIS FAIR I DROVE TO VIEW THIS FARM NEARBY. THIS FARM IS NOW 3 ACRES OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASED IN 1885 BY THIS FAMOUS PLANT TRADER BORN IN 1849. HE ADDED 5 ACRES IN 1904, BUT HAD FAILING HEALTH AND SOLD 3 ACRES IN 1923 WITH OVER 60,000 PLANTS, LUTHER WAS A FRIEND WITH HENRY FORD AND ALBERT EINSTEIN. HE HAD NO CHILDREN. BURBANK WAS A SCIENTIST WHO DID NOT WANT TO DO FIELDWORK. HE HIRED MEXICANS AND INDIANS TO DO THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS RANCH AND FARM. HE LIVED IN SANTA ROSA AND IN 1885. HE CONDUCTED HIS PLANT BREEDING. HE SENT MAIL TO EUROPE TO GET SOME HYBRID SEEDLINGS DFOR THE RANCH. SOME CAMER BY MAIL ND WERE DEAD. SO HE HAD TO RESEND FOR THEM. HE COLLECTED MISTLETOE WHICH HAS BEEN USED FOR CURING CANCER. HIS GOAL WAS TO INCREASE THE THE WORLD'S FOO SUPPLY. HE CUT DOWN THE OAKS IN ORDER TO PLANT HIS HYBRIDERS.HE COLLECTED A VARIETY OF WALNUTS AND CHESTNUTS. HE DIED IN 1926 AND HIS WIFE DONATED THE FAMED 15 ACRES TO SEBASTOPOL AREA HOUSING CORPORATION TO BUILD LOW INCOME SENIOR AND DISABLED HOUSING UNITS. THE FARM IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SONOMA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS. THEY BUILT A NICE FOOTPATH WITH A NUMBER OF TREES. THEY ACTUALLY CUT DOWN THE OAKS SO HE COULD HAVE MORE ROOM TO PLANT HIS HYBRIDS. VISITORS CAN ALSO BUY SOME GRASSES AND SOME OTHER SMALL PLANTS.
SO AFTER EXITING THIS FAIR I DROVE TO VIEW THIS FARM NEARBY. THIS FARM IS NOW 3 ACRES OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASED IN 1885 BY THIS FAMOUS PLANT TRADER BORN IN 1849. HE ADDED 5 ACRES IN 1904, BUT HAD FAILING HEALTH AND SOLD 3 ACRES IN 1923 WITH OVER 60,000 PLANTS, LUTHER WAS A FRIEND WITH HENRY FORD AND ALBERT EINSTEIN. HE HAD NO CHILDREN. BURBANK WAS A SCIENTIST WHO DID NOT WANT TO DO FIELDWORK. HE HIRED MEXICANS AND INDIANS TO DO THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS RANCH AND FARM. HE LIVED IN SANTA ROSA AND IN 1885. HE CONDUCTED HIS PLANT BREEDING. HE SENT MAIL TO EUROPE TO GET SOME HYBRID SEEDLINGS DFOR THE RANCH. SOME CAMER BY MAIL ND WERE DEAD. SO HE HAD TO RESEND FOR THEM. HE COLLECTED MISTLETOE WHICH HAS BEEN USED FOR CURING CANCER. HIS GOAL WAS TO INCREASE THE THE WORLD'S FOO SUPPLY. HE CUT DOWN THE OAKS IN ORDER TO PLANT HIS HYBRIDERS.HE COLLECTED A VARIETY OF WALNUTS AND CHESTNUTS. HE DIED IN 1926 AND HIS WIFE DONATED THE FAMED 15 ACRES TO SEBASTOPOL AREA HOUSING CORPORATION TO BUILD LOW INCOME SENIOR AND DISABLED HOUSING UNITS. THE FARM IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SONOMA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS. THEY BUILT A NICE FOOTPATH WITH A NUMBER OF TREES. THEY ACTUALLY CUT DOWN THE OAKS SO HE COULD HAVE MORE ROOM TO PLANT HIS HYBRIDS. VISITORS CAN ALSO BUY SOME GRASSES AND SOME OTHER SMALL PLANTS.
HONDURAS INDIANS
MISKITO INDIANS HAVE ABOUT 300,00 FOLKS IN THEIR TRIBE . THEY ARE POSSIBLY GOING TO LOSE ACCESS TO THE ARCHIPELAGO THEY HAVE RELIED ON FOR CENTURIES BECAUSE A U.S. DEVELOPER IS SELLING OR LEASING WHAT HE ASSERTS AS HIS RIGHTS .
A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER MARIA ACOSTA, DIRECTS THE CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TO TAKE ON THE FIGHT FOR MISKITO PEOPLE . DURING HER DISPUTE HER HUSBAND AT 45 (A CHAMBER PRESIDENT) WAS MURDERED IN THEIR HOME IN 2002. ACOSTA BELIEVE THE ASSASSINS INTENDED TO KILL HER BECAUSE OF HER INVOLVEMENT. IN AN INTERVIEW "I'M SAID NOT ANGRY. AND I FEEL THE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. SHE'S WORKING THROUGH HER GRIEF BY RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE MURDER CASE AS WELL AS THE PLIGHT OF THESE PEOPLE (75,000 MISKITOS, 9,000 SUMAS, AND 1750 GARIFUNAS).
LEGISLATURE OF NICARAGUA IN 1987 SAID THE INDIGENOUS FOLKS SHOULD HAVE NRIGHTS TO THEIR LANDS THEY HISTORICALLY LAND THEY HISTORICALLY WERE FROM. SHE EXPLAINED THEY SHOULD NOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD/
CALPI FOUND THE DEVELOPER PAID $35,000 FOR THEIR LAND AND THEY ARE SELLING IT FOR $2.6 MILLION! THE SELLER SAID SHE DID NOT HAVE TITLE TO THE LAND.
THREE YEARS AGO SHE HAD THE MIKITO PEOPLE COME TO HER OFFICE IN ORDER TO TRY TO FISH AND GATHER COCONUTS ON THEIR LAND. THEIR WERE GUARD DOGS ON THE ISLAND AND THE NATIONAL POLICE OFFICERS WERE PAID TO KEEP THE MISKITOS OFF OF THEIR LAND! ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION CALLED DEFEND THE ISLAND PART OF THE NICARAGUA NETWORK HAS BLOCKED A FRESH WATER SPRING THAT WAS USED FOR CENTURIES AND ECOLODGE RESORTS ARE PLANNED FOR THEIR LANDS.
LAST YEAR THE DEVELOPER ACQUIRED ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND ON THE ATLANTIC COAST . HE BOUGHT SOME LAND FOR $10,000 AND IS ASKING $695,000 for these lands! ACOSTA HAS ABANDONED HER HOUSE AND IS LIVING IN NICARAGUA WITH HER GIRLS. SHE STILL WORKS FOR CALPIT AND HAS HAD 1 PERSON ARRESTED AND HOPES TO REOPEN HER CASE. SHE CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE MIKISITO.
A MIKASITO MYTH IS ABOUT A MAN NAMED NAKILI WHO LOST HIS WIFE HE LOVED VERY MUSH. HE FOUND HER SOUL ONCE WHEN HE VISITED HER GRAVE. HER SOUL WAS ABOUT 2 ' HIGH AND WAS PREPARING FOR HER JOURNEY TO THE AFTERLIFE. THE HUSBAND WANTED TO GO WITH HER BUT SHE ANSWERED IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE HE WAS ALIVE. THE HUSBAND INSISTED THAT THEY BEGIN THE JOURNEY TOGETHER. SOME LED THEM ON NARROW FOOT PATH WHERE MANY BIRDS OF PREY WERE FLYING.SHE JUMPED BACK IN FEAR . THEY PASSED BETWEEN 2 PINES ON THE TRAIL THAT WERE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, THE LADY WENT THROUGH WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE HUSBAND WAS TOO LARGE AND WENT AROUND THE TREES
THEY CONTINUED AND ARRIVED AT A BRIDGE THE WIDTH OF A HUMAN HAIR. BENEATH THE WALL WAS A GIANT POT OF BOILING WATER. THE WIFE WAS SO SMALL SHE BALANCED ACROSS THE BRIDGE , WHILE NAKILI CROSSED THE BRIDGE WITH A JUMP.
THEY ARRIVED AT A RIVER WITH SARDINES. THE TWO SAW ACROSS THE RIVER AND THE WORLD OF THE AFTERLIFE WHERE EVERYONE SEEMED HAPPY. WHEN THE SOULS OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T LEAD VIRTUOUS LIVES JUMPED IN THE CANOE AND THE GUIDE TIPPED THEM INTO THE LAKE AND THE SARDINES ATE THEM.THE TOAD FERRIED THE WIFE ACROSS WHEN HER HUSBAND SWAM.
THERE THEY WERE GREETED BY A ROBUST WOMAN WHO TOLD NAKILI HE MUST RETURN RETURN TO EARTH HE BEGGED HER . FINALLY SHE SAID HE COULD REMAIN HERE. NOBODY HAD TO WORK AND THERE WAS ABUNDANT FOOD. AFTER STAYING HERE HE SAID I NEED TO RETURN TO MY CHILDREN IN EARTH.THE ROBUST WOMAN GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO RETURN. SHE PLACED HIM ON A STALK OF BAMBOO AND DROPPED IT IN THE RIVER AFTER A WHILE HE WAS IN THE OCEAN AND A GREAT WAVE LEFT HIM RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE.
NATIVE LANGUAGES.ORG
A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER MARIA ACOSTA, DIRECTS THE CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TO TAKE ON THE FIGHT FOR MISKITO PEOPLE . DURING HER DISPUTE HER HUSBAND AT 45 (A CHAMBER PRESIDENT) WAS MURDERED IN THEIR HOME IN 2002. ACOSTA BELIEVE THE ASSASSINS INTENDED TO KILL HER BECAUSE OF HER INVOLVEMENT. IN AN INTERVIEW "I'M SAID NOT ANGRY. AND I FEEL THE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. SHE'S WORKING THROUGH HER GRIEF BY RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE MURDER CASE AS WELL AS THE PLIGHT OF THESE PEOPLE (75,000 MISKITOS, 9,000 SUMAS, AND 1750 GARIFUNAS).
LEGISLATURE OF NICARAGUA IN 1987 SAID THE INDIGENOUS FOLKS SHOULD HAVE NRIGHTS TO THEIR LANDS THEY HISTORICALLY LAND THEY HISTORICALLY WERE FROM. SHE EXPLAINED THEY SHOULD NOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD/
CALPI FOUND THE DEVELOPER PAID $35,000 FOR THEIR LAND AND THEY ARE SELLING IT FOR $2.6 MILLION! THE SELLER SAID SHE DID NOT HAVE TITLE TO THE LAND.
THREE YEARS AGO SHE HAD THE MIKITO PEOPLE COME TO HER OFFICE IN ORDER TO TRY TO FISH AND GATHER COCONUTS ON THEIR LAND. THEIR WERE GUARD DOGS ON THE ISLAND AND THE NATIONAL POLICE OFFICERS WERE PAID TO KEEP THE MISKITOS OFF OF THEIR LAND! ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION CALLED DEFEND THE ISLAND PART OF THE NICARAGUA NETWORK HAS BLOCKED A FRESH WATER SPRING THAT WAS USED FOR CENTURIES AND ECOLODGE RESORTS ARE PLANNED FOR THEIR LANDS.
LAST YEAR THE DEVELOPER ACQUIRED ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND ON THE ATLANTIC COAST . HE BOUGHT SOME LAND FOR $10,000 AND IS ASKING $695,000 for these lands! ACOSTA HAS ABANDONED HER HOUSE AND IS LIVING IN NICARAGUA WITH HER GIRLS. SHE STILL WORKS FOR CALPIT AND HAS HAD 1 PERSON ARRESTED AND HOPES TO REOPEN HER CASE. SHE CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE MIKISITO.
A MIKASITO MYTH IS ABOUT A MAN NAMED NAKILI WHO LOST HIS WIFE HE LOVED VERY MUSH. HE FOUND HER SOUL ONCE WHEN HE VISITED HER GRAVE. HER SOUL WAS ABOUT 2 ' HIGH AND WAS PREPARING FOR HER JOURNEY TO THE AFTERLIFE. THE HUSBAND WANTED TO GO WITH HER BUT SHE ANSWERED IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE HE WAS ALIVE. THE HUSBAND INSISTED THAT THEY BEGIN THE JOURNEY TOGETHER. SOME LED THEM ON NARROW FOOT PATH WHERE MANY BIRDS OF PREY WERE FLYING.SHE JUMPED BACK IN FEAR . THEY PASSED BETWEEN 2 PINES ON THE TRAIL THAT WERE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, THE LADY WENT THROUGH WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE HUSBAND WAS TOO LARGE AND WENT AROUND THE TREES
THEY CONTINUED AND ARRIVED AT A BRIDGE THE WIDTH OF A HUMAN HAIR. BENEATH THE WALL WAS A GIANT POT OF BOILING WATER. THE WIFE WAS SO SMALL SHE BALANCED ACROSS THE BRIDGE , WHILE NAKILI CROSSED THE BRIDGE WITH A JUMP.
THEY ARRIVED AT A RIVER WITH SARDINES. THE TWO SAW ACROSS THE RIVER AND THE WORLD OF THE AFTERLIFE WHERE EVERYONE SEEMED HAPPY. WHEN THE SOULS OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T LEAD VIRTUOUS LIVES JUMPED IN THE CANOE AND THE GUIDE TIPPED THEM INTO THE LAKE AND THE SARDINES ATE THEM.THE TOAD FERRIED THE WIFE ACROSS WHEN HER HUSBAND SWAM.
THERE THEY WERE GREETED BY A ROBUST WOMAN WHO TOLD NAKILI HE MUST RETURN RETURN TO EARTH HE BEGGED HER . FINALLY SHE SAID HE COULD REMAIN HERE. NOBODY HAD TO WORK AND THERE WAS ABUNDANT FOOD. AFTER STAYING HERE HE SAID I NEED TO RETURN TO MY CHILDREN IN EARTH.THE ROBUST WOMAN GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO RETURN. SHE PLACED HIM ON A STALK OF BAMBOO AND DROPPED IT IN THE RIVER AFTER A WHILE HE WAS IN THE OCEAN AND A GREAT WAVE LEFT HIM RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE.
NATIVE LANGUAGES.ORG
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
GARIFUNA INDIANS IN BELIZE
THE GARIFUNA ARE AN ARAWAKEN SPEAKING TRIBE. THEY ARE MIXED RACE. BY 1600'S THE CARIB TRIBES ATTACKED SPANISH SHIPS AND FREED AFRICAN SLAVES. THE GARIFUNA ARE ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE. WITH A DISTINCT LANGUAGE. THESE FOLKS HAD STRONG BODIES AND MONGOLOID FEATURES. THEIR MEN WORE SKIRTS.
THE FORMATION OF THEIR SOCIETIES WAS IT RECORDED IN 1635 WHEN THEY RANK TWO SPANISH SHIPS LOADED WITH BLACK SLAVES. THEY KEPT THE SUPPLIES OF GOLD, WINE, AND SLAVES AND KILLED THE CREW! THE BLACKS ADOPTED THEIR LANGUAGE AND MARRIED CALIPONAN WOMEN. THE NEW SOCIETY (GARIFUNA) CENTERED THEIR FAMILY LIFE IN A SEXUAL DIVISION OF WORK.
BY THE 17TH CENTURY A DRASTIC CHANGE OCCURRED IN THE VICENTINIAN SOCIETY. THE BLACK SOCIETY HAD BECOME THE DOMINANT GROUP BECAUSE OF THE IMMIGRATION OF REFUGEES. FINALLY THE GARIFUNA FORCED THE CALIPONAN TO MOVE TO THE WESTERN PART OF THE ISLAND. BOTH GROUPS TRIED TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE OF INTERNAL DIVISION.
THE NEWS ABOUT THEIR DIFFERENCES REACHED FRANCE. THE FRENCH SUPPORTED THE CHIPONAN. THE FRENCH HAD TO MAINTAIN PEACE LINKS WITH GARIFUNAS. THE GARIFUNAS ACQUIRED FRENCH TASTES AND CUSTOMS, AND WINE.
SOME INDIANS LIVE IN THE CARIBBEAN,AS WELL AS IN L.A. AND NEW YORK CITY. ACCORDING TO ORAL HISTORY THE ENGLISH GOVERNOR, WILLIAM YOUNG, IN 1785 THE CARIB SPEAKING PEOPLE CAME TO SAINT VICENT BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPEANS TO THE NEW WORLD.
THE AFRICANS AND OTHER RUNAWAY TOOK REFUGEES ARE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THEY RAIDED THE CARIBS UNTIL THEY GREATLY REDUCED THEM IN NUMBERS. VISITORS WERE RARE.
IN RECENT HISTORY THE RARE GARIFUNA POPULATION IS ABOUT 600,000. MANY HAVE MOVED TO THE
U.S. SOME OF THE NICARAGUAN GARIFUNA HAVE MIGRATED TO THE U.S. ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THERE VOCABULARY IS THAT THERE IS A SPLIT BETWEEN THE TERMS USED BY MEN AND THOSE USED BY WOMEN! THE MEN USE TERMS FROM THE CARRIB WHILE THE WOMEN USE WORDS FROM ARAWAK.
THEIR RELIGION TODAY IS MOSTLY CATHOLIC. THEIR BELIEFS ARE MERGED WITH TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. THEIR SHAMAN KNOWN AS A BUYER IS THE HEAD OF THEIR TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. THEIR RELIGION HAS SIMILAR QUALITIES TO THE VOODOO RITUALS. THEY HAVE MYSTICAL PRACTICES. THERE IS A RASTAFARIAN MINORITY.
IN 2001 UNESCO PROCLAIMED THEIR LANGUAGE, MUSIC AND DANCES ARE MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL TRADITION AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE.
THEY COOK A WIDE VARIETY OF DISHES IN A AREA - CASAVA BREAD WITH GARLIC AND YUCCA. THIS HAS BEEN DONE SINCE ANCIENT TIMES AND IS A TIME CONSUMING PRACTICING. THEY BAKE PANCAKES ON A GRIDDLE. IT IS EATEN WITH FISH AND PLAINTAINS WITH GRAVY. THEY ALSO MAKE MAZAPAN.
THEIR MUSIC IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM CALIFORNIA. THE MOST FAMOUS IS PUNTA, A MUSICAL STYLE OF HIP SWINGING. THEY HAVE A MUSICAL STYLE OF HIP SWINGING. THEY HAD MANY FORMS OF MUSICAL DANCE.WOMEN COMPOSE THEIR LYRICS. MEN SING DIFFERENT WORK SONGS. DRUMS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN MUSIC. THEY MAKE THEIR DRUMS IN FROM HARDWOOD (MAHOGANY) AND USE SHAKERS OF DRIED FRUIT. THEY MAKE GOURDS FILLED WITH SEEDS. BY THE 199O'S THEIR MUSIC BEGAN TO BE RECORDED.
THEY DANCE THE DUGUU, A RITUAL DONE FOR A DEATH IN THE FAMILY TO PAY THEIR RESPECT TO THEIR LOVED ONES.
THESE FOLKS RELY ON FARMING FOR MOST OF THE YEARS INCOME. BUT MUCH OF THEIR LAND WAS TAKEN FROM THEM BY FRUIT COMPANIES. THE COMPANIES WERE WELCOMED TO BRING AN INCOME, BUT AS BUSINESS DECLINED THESE LARGE COMPANIES SOLD THE LAND AND IT WAS INHABITED BY MESTIZO FARMERS. THE GARIFUNA WOMEN ARE FORCED TO RELY ON MEN FOR STEADY INCOME IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THEY ARE RELYING ON EXPORT COMPANIES. THE WOMEN ARE HIGHLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND ARE UNABLE TO GET A JOB. SOME SELL HOMEMADE GOODS AND DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO RELY ON. THE WOMEN BELIEVE IN MAGIC TO CONTROL THE MEN IN THEIR LIVES.
THE MEN HAVE MULTIPLE GIRLFRIENDS IN ADDITION TO MARRIAGE. THE WOMEN BELIEVE MAGIC HELPS THEM TO KEEP THE HUSBANDS IN LOVE WITH THEM. THEY BELIEVE THEIR IS A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.. IT IS IMPORTANT TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THE GARIFUNA CULTURE IS GREATLY AFFECTED BY THE ECONOMIC ATMOSPHERE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO OUTSIDE INFUENCE. SOME THINK IT WILL BECOME COMMERCIALIZED.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.ORG
THE FORMATION OF THEIR SOCIETIES WAS IT RECORDED IN 1635 WHEN THEY RANK TWO SPANISH SHIPS LOADED WITH BLACK SLAVES. THEY KEPT THE SUPPLIES OF GOLD, WINE, AND SLAVES AND KILLED THE CREW! THE BLACKS ADOPTED THEIR LANGUAGE AND MARRIED CALIPONAN WOMEN. THE NEW SOCIETY (GARIFUNA) CENTERED THEIR FAMILY LIFE IN A SEXUAL DIVISION OF WORK.
BY THE 17TH CENTURY A DRASTIC CHANGE OCCURRED IN THE VICENTINIAN SOCIETY. THE BLACK SOCIETY HAD BECOME THE DOMINANT GROUP BECAUSE OF THE IMMIGRATION OF REFUGEES. FINALLY THE GARIFUNA FORCED THE CALIPONAN TO MOVE TO THE WESTERN PART OF THE ISLAND. BOTH GROUPS TRIED TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE OF INTERNAL DIVISION.
THE NEWS ABOUT THEIR DIFFERENCES REACHED FRANCE. THE FRENCH SUPPORTED THE CHIPONAN. THE FRENCH HAD TO MAINTAIN PEACE LINKS WITH GARIFUNAS. THE GARIFUNAS ACQUIRED FRENCH TASTES AND CUSTOMS, AND WINE.
SOME INDIANS LIVE IN THE CARIBBEAN,AS WELL AS IN L.A. AND NEW YORK CITY. ACCORDING TO ORAL HISTORY THE ENGLISH GOVERNOR, WILLIAM YOUNG, IN 1785 THE CARIB SPEAKING PEOPLE CAME TO SAINT VICENT BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPEANS TO THE NEW WORLD.
THE AFRICANS AND OTHER RUNAWAY TOOK REFUGEES ARE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THEY RAIDED THE CARIBS UNTIL THEY GREATLY REDUCED THEM IN NUMBERS. VISITORS WERE RARE.
IN RECENT HISTORY THE RARE GARIFUNA POPULATION IS ABOUT 600,000. MANY HAVE MOVED TO THE
U.S. SOME OF THE NICARAGUAN GARIFUNA HAVE MIGRATED TO THE U.S. ONE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THERE VOCABULARY IS THAT THERE IS A SPLIT BETWEEN THE TERMS USED BY MEN AND THOSE USED BY WOMEN! THE MEN USE TERMS FROM THE CARRIB WHILE THE WOMEN USE WORDS FROM ARAWAK.
THEIR RELIGION TODAY IS MOSTLY CATHOLIC. THEIR BELIEFS ARE MERGED WITH TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. THEIR SHAMAN KNOWN AS A BUYER IS THE HEAD OF THEIR TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. THEIR RELIGION HAS SIMILAR QUALITIES TO THE VOODOO RITUALS. THEY HAVE MYSTICAL PRACTICES. THERE IS A RASTAFARIAN MINORITY.
IN 2001 UNESCO PROCLAIMED THEIR LANGUAGE, MUSIC AND DANCES ARE MASTERPIECES OF THE ORAL TRADITION AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE.
THEY COOK A WIDE VARIETY OF DISHES IN A AREA - CASAVA BREAD WITH GARLIC AND YUCCA. THIS HAS BEEN DONE SINCE ANCIENT TIMES AND IS A TIME CONSUMING PRACTICING. THEY BAKE PANCAKES ON A GRIDDLE. IT IS EATEN WITH FISH AND PLAINTAINS WITH GRAVY. THEY ALSO MAKE MAZAPAN.
THEIR MUSIC IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM CALIFORNIA. THE MOST FAMOUS IS PUNTA, A MUSICAL STYLE OF HIP SWINGING. THEY HAVE A MUSICAL STYLE OF HIP SWINGING. THEY HAD MANY FORMS OF MUSICAL DANCE.WOMEN COMPOSE THEIR LYRICS. MEN SING DIFFERENT WORK SONGS. DRUMS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN MUSIC. THEY MAKE THEIR DRUMS IN FROM HARDWOOD (MAHOGANY) AND USE SHAKERS OF DRIED FRUIT. THEY MAKE GOURDS FILLED WITH SEEDS. BY THE 199O'S THEIR MUSIC BEGAN TO BE RECORDED.
THEY DANCE THE DUGUU, A RITUAL DONE FOR A DEATH IN THE FAMILY TO PAY THEIR RESPECT TO THEIR LOVED ONES.
THESE FOLKS RELY ON FARMING FOR MOST OF THE YEARS INCOME. BUT MUCH OF THEIR LAND WAS TAKEN FROM THEM BY FRUIT COMPANIES. THE COMPANIES WERE WELCOMED TO BRING AN INCOME, BUT AS BUSINESS DECLINED THESE LARGE COMPANIES SOLD THE LAND AND IT WAS INHABITED BY MESTIZO FARMERS. THE GARIFUNA WOMEN ARE FORCED TO RELY ON MEN FOR STEADY INCOME IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THEY ARE RELYING ON EXPORT COMPANIES. THE WOMEN ARE HIGHLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND ARE UNABLE TO GET A JOB. SOME SELL HOMEMADE GOODS AND DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO RELY ON. THE WOMEN BELIEVE IN MAGIC TO CONTROL THE MEN IN THEIR LIVES.
THE MEN HAVE MULTIPLE GIRLFRIENDS IN ADDITION TO MARRIAGE. THE WOMEN BELIEVE MAGIC HELPS THEM TO KEEP THE HUSBANDS IN LOVE WITH THEM. THEY BELIEVE THEIR IS A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON.. IT IS IMPORTANT TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THE GARIFUNA CULTURE IS GREATLY AFFECTED BY THE ECONOMIC ATMOSPHERE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO OUTSIDE INFUENCE. SOME THINK IT WILL BECOME COMMERCIALIZED.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.ORG
TODOS SANTERO MAM
THERE ARE ABOUT 1/2 MILLION PEOPLE BY HUEHUETANGO IN NORTHWEST GUATEMALA. ABOUT 30,000 ARE LIVING HERE WHO SPEAK THE MAM LANGAGE. THEY LIVE IN A STEEP VALLEY OF ABOUT 2500 M IN THE CHURHUAMATAN MTNS. THE TOWN IS A 2 HOUR RIDE BY BUS FROM THE CAPITAL. THEY LIVE PARTIAL TROPICAL RAIN FOREST. THEY HAVE A RAINY SEASON. - THAT LASTS FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER. THEY ARE HARD WORKING AND SELF RELIANT.
MANY OF THEM ARE QUITE FLUENT IN SPANISH. MANY HAVE MOVED TO THE U.S. FOR WORK. THE WOMAN ARE EXCELLENT WEAVERS AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IS THEIR ART. THEY MAKE BEAUTIFUL TEXTILES. FOR THE TOURISTS AND THEIR TOWN. THEY ARE ALSO DEVOTED MOTHERS AND ARE INSEPARABLE, WITH THEIR INFANTS. THEY COOK, TEND ANIMALS AND DO OTHER CHORES. MEN CHROCHET HANDBAGS. ONMARKET DAYS THE FAMILIES HIKE 5 HOURS ACROSS RUGGED LAND IN 3500M IN ELEVATION TO THEIR CAPITAL. THEY PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE LOWLANDS - COFFEE, BANANAS, AND POTATOES. ELEMENTS OF THE MAYAN COSMOLOGY PROVIDE EVERYDAY LIFE, BUT THEIR CEREMONIES ARE LESS OFTEN
USED.
THE CITY IS FAMOUS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF ALL SAINTS DAY IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE A HORSE RACE THAT IS THE DUAL POINT OF THE CEREMONIES. THE SPIRIT OF THE ANCESTORS ARE HONORED IN THE CEMETERY. THEY DANCE WITH THE MARIMBA, FEAST AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THERE ARE LEAST TWO RUINS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. THEY MAY HAVE HAD MORE HISTORY. COSTUME CEREMONIES ARE SOMETIMES HELD IN STILL HELD NEXT THE OTHER CROSSES. SOME FOLKSA ARE OK WITH HAVING THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN IN SPITE OF MODERATE BEHAVIOR OF TOURISTS, THEY ASK TOURESTS TO GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE ASKING PERMISSION FOR THEIR PHOTO. THEY APPRECIATE BEING SENT A COPY OF THEIR PHOTO. THEY ARE WORKING TO OBTAIN IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LIBRARY.
STESON.EDU
MANY OF THEM ARE QUITE FLUENT IN SPANISH. MANY HAVE MOVED TO THE U.S. FOR WORK. THE WOMAN ARE EXCELLENT WEAVERS AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IS THEIR ART. THEY MAKE BEAUTIFUL TEXTILES. FOR THE TOURISTS AND THEIR TOWN. THEY ARE ALSO DEVOTED MOTHERS AND ARE INSEPARABLE, WITH THEIR INFANTS. THEY COOK, TEND ANIMALS AND DO OTHER CHORES. MEN CHROCHET HANDBAGS. ONMARKET DAYS THE FAMILIES HIKE 5 HOURS ACROSS RUGGED LAND IN 3500M IN ELEVATION TO THEIR CAPITAL. THEY PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE LOWLANDS - COFFEE, BANANAS, AND POTATOES. ELEMENTS OF THE MAYAN COSMOLOGY PROVIDE EVERYDAY LIFE, BUT THEIR CEREMONIES ARE LESS OFTEN
USED.
THE CITY IS FAMOUS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF ALL SAINTS DAY IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE A HORSE RACE THAT IS THE DUAL POINT OF THE CEREMONIES. THE SPIRIT OF THE ANCESTORS ARE HONORED IN THE CEMETERY. THEY DANCE WITH THE MARIMBA, FEAST AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THERE ARE LEAST TWO RUINS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. THEY MAY HAVE HAD MORE HISTORY. COSTUME CEREMONIES ARE SOMETIMES HELD IN STILL HELD NEXT THE OTHER CROSSES. SOME FOLKSA ARE OK WITH HAVING THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN IN SPITE OF MODERATE BEHAVIOR OF TOURISTS, THEY ASK TOURESTS TO GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE ASKING PERMISSION FOR THEIR PHOTO. THEY APPRECIATE BEING SENT A COPY OF THEIR PHOTO. THEY ARE WORKING TO OBTAIN IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LIBRARY.
STESON.EDU
JAKALTECO INDIANS IN CENTRAL AMERICA
THE JAKALTECO ARE A WESTERN MAYAN INDIAN GROUP. THEIR POPULATION WAS 16000 TO 30,000. MOST LIVE IN HUEHUETENANGO. MUCH LAND HAS BEEN TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT AND THE JAKALTECO ARE MIGRANT LABORERS. IN 1980 MANY CAME TO THE U.S. TO ESCAPE GOVERNMENT PERSECUTION. THEY HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE PRECOLUMBIAN TIMES. THEY LIVED HERE SINCE PRECOLUMBIAN TIMES. THEY LIVE ABOVE 1437 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
THE TOWN OF JAKALTECO IS A GOVERNMENTAL, RELIGIOUS, AND MARKET CENTER OF THE REGION. IT IS CALLED PLACE OF BIG WHITE ROCK SLABS. IT WAS PHYSICALLY A REMOTE CENTER FROM SPANISH CENTERS. IT IS A TWO DAY WALK FROM THE CAPITAL. SINCE 1994 AN IMPROVE ROAD WAS BUILT IT IS A FIVE HOUR BUS RIDE FROM THE CAPITAL. BY 1979 THEY GOT ELECTRICITY. THEIR ISOLATION HAS RESULTED IN THEIR CONTINUED USE OF CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES LOST ELSEWHERE. THE JAKALTECO STILL USE THE BLOW GUN FOR HUNTING BIRDS AND SMALL ANIMALS. THEY HAVE A BELIEF SYSTEM WHICH INVOLVES NAGUELS AND TONALS.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
THE TOWN OF JAKALTECO IS A GOVERNMENTAL, RELIGIOUS, AND MARKET CENTER OF THE REGION. IT IS CALLED PLACE OF BIG WHITE ROCK SLABS. IT WAS PHYSICALLY A REMOTE CENTER FROM SPANISH CENTERS. IT IS A TWO DAY WALK FROM THE CAPITAL. SINCE 1994 AN IMPROVE ROAD WAS BUILT IT IS A FIVE HOUR BUS RIDE FROM THE CAPITAL. BY 1979 THEY GOT ELECTRICITY. THEIR ISOLATION HAS RESULTED IN THEIR CONTINUED USE OF CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES LOST ELSEWHERE. THE JAKALTECO STILL USE THE BLOW GUN FOR HUNTING BIRDS AND SMALL ANIMALS. THEY HAVE A BELIEF SYSTEM WHICH INVOLVES NAGUELS AND TONALS.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
GANJOBAL INDIANS
THE GANJOBAL ARE A MAYAN GROUP. THE GANJOBAL ARE ONE OF THE MAYAN GROUPS LIVING IN THE CHUCHANMATAN MOUNTAINS. THEY LIVED IN VARIOUS CLIMATE RANGES. THERE RE 70,000 LIVING IN THE INDIANS LIVING IN THE NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS. THEY SPEAK GANJOBAL IN THIS AREA.
THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE GANJOBAL BEGAN IN THE 1520'S WHEN PEDRO ALVARADO HAD SOLDIERS THROUGH GUATEMALA TO CONQUER THE INDIANS. EUROPEAN DISEASES AND MILITARY STACKS WEAKEN AND DEPLETE THESE NATIVES.
DURING COLONIAL TIMES THE PRIVATE LAND HOLDERS STATE INDIAN LANDS TO GROW COFFEE, WHICH BROUGHT THEM MUCH MONEY. BECAUSE OF THEIR GOVERNMENT THE GANJOBAL INDIANS LOST MORE THAN 70% OF THEIR LAND TO LADINOS IN 1880 TO 1926. THEIR LANDS HAVE BEEN UNDER CONTINUED PRESSURE. THEY LIVE IN HOUSES NEAR FIELDS. THEIR HOUSES ARE MADE OF ROOMS, DWELLINGS ARE MADE OF POLES WITH THATCHED ROOFS. THEY MAKE SWEAT BATHS ADJACENT TO THEIR ENTRANCE. THEY MANLY GROW CORN, BEAM=NS, SQUASH. THEY GROW SURPLUS CORN AND SELL IT FOR CASH. THEY FARM ON STEEP MOUNTAIN SIDES. THEY USE A HOE, NO PLOWS, OR ANIMALS. MANY BECOME MIGRANT LABORERS.
WEAVING IS THE MAIN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR WOMEN. MEN USE INTRICATE LOOMS FOR WEAVING CLOTH AND BLOUSES. EACH TOWN HAS ITS OWN DESIGN. IT IS POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR CLOTHING.
MARRIAGES INVOLVE MUCH RITUAL AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE COUPLE MOVES INTO THE HOUSE OF THE GROOM'S FATHER. THEIR RELIGION COMBINES TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND CATHOLICISM. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A CATHOLIC GOD, JESUS, AND THE VIRGIN MARY. THEY PLACE THEM INTO THEIR OWNTRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVES. THEY HAVE DIETIES WHO DO EVIL. A CROSS IS THEIR CENTRAL SYMBOL THAT STANDS ON THE FRONT OF CHURCHES. THE CROSS IS THE INTEGRAL PART OF THE MAYA CALENDAR.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF THE GANJOBAL BEGAN IN THE 1520'S WHEN PEDRO ALVARADO HAD SOLDIERS THROUGH GUATEMALA TO CONQUER THE INDIANS. EUROPEAN DISEASES AND MILITARY STACKS WEAKEN AND DEPLETE THESE NATIVES.
DURING COLONIAL TIMES THE PRIVATE LAND HOLDERS STATE INDIAN LANDS TO GROW COFFEE, WHICH BROUGHT THEM MUCH MONEY. BECAUSE OF THEIR GOVERNMENT THE GANJOBAL INDIANS LOST MORE THAN 70% OF THEIR LAND TO LADINOS IN 1880 TO 1926. THEIR LANDS HAVE BEEN UNDER CONTINUED PRESSURE. THEY LIVE IN HOUSES NEAR FIELDS. THEIR HOUSES ARE MADE OF ROOMS, DWELLINGS ARE MADE OF POLES WITH THATCHED ROOFS. THEY MAKE SWEAT BATHS ADJACENT TO THEIR ENTRANCE. THEY MANLY GROW CORN, BEAM=NS, SQUASH. THEY GROW SURPLUS CORN AND SELL IT FOR CASH. THEY FARM ON STEEP MOUNTAIN SIDES. THEY USE A HOE, NO PLOWS, OR ANIMALS. MANY BECOME MIGRANT LABORERS.
WEAVING IS THE MAIN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR WOMEN. MEN USE INTRICATE LOOMS FOR WEAVING CLOTH AND BLOUSES. EACH TOWN HAS ITS OWN DESIGN. IT IS POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR CLOTHING.
MARRIAGES INVOLVE MUCH RITUAL AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE COUPLE MOVES INTO THE HOUSE OF THE GROOM'S FATHER. THEIR RELIGION COMBINES TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND CATHOLICISM. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A CATHOLIC GOD, JESUS, AND THE VIRGIN MARY. THEY PLACE THEM INTO THEIR OWNTRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVES. THEY HAVE DIETIES WHO DO EVIL. A CROSS IS THEIR CENTRAL SYMBOL THAT STANDS ON THE FRONT OF CHURCHES. THE CROSS IS THE INTEGRAL PART OF THE MAYA CALENDAR.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
Thursday, April 19, 2012
CONNECT WITH OUR EARTH.
ZEN MASTER THICH WHAT HANK IS A MEDITATION PRACTITIONER WHO HAS BEEN PRACTICING MEDITATION AND IS KNOWN TO BUDDHISTS AS BODHISA TIVA, OR HIGH LEVEL OF BEING IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS. THIS 86 YEAR OLD ZEN MONK COMMITS HIS LIFE TO RECONCILING CONFLICT AND IN 1967 MARTIN LUTHER KING NOMINATED HIM FOR THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. OTHERS SAY HIS IDEAS FOR PEACE, IF APPLIED WOULD BUILD A MONUMENT TO HUMANITY.
IN RECENT YEARS HE HAS TURNED HIS ATTENTION TOWARDS NOT ONLY HEALING PEOPLES RELATIONSHIPS, BUT ALSO HEALING THE PLANET ON WHICH OUR LIVES DEPEND. HE SEES A LACK OF MEANING AND CONNECTION IN OUR LIVES AS OUR CAUSE OF ADDICTION TO CONSUMERISM. WE NEED TO RESPOND TO STRESS WE ARE PUTTING ON THE EARTH. HE SAYS TO SEE THE ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF OURSELVES. HE SAYS WE SHOULD HAVE A REAL COMMUNITY WITH THE EARTH AS OUR HIGHEST PRAYER.
FEAR SEPARATION, HATE AND ANGER COME FROM THE WRONG VIEW. YOU AND THE EARTH ARE SEPARATE . BREATHE IN AND BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE THE EARTH AS WELL AS YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS.
PEOPLE WITH ANGER AND SUFFERING HAVE TO HAVE A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE IN ORDER TO HANDLE THE SUFFERING SO THEY WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN THE WORLD. PEOPLE TRY TO COVER UP THE THEIR SUFFERING BY BEING TOO BUSY. MANY PEOPLE GET ALIENATED FROM THE WORLD. THIS ENLIGHTENMENT IS VERY CRUCIAL TO AWAKENING TO LOVE THAT IS NOT AT THE HEART OF CHANGE. WE DO ANYTHING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EARTH.
POSITIVENEWS.ORG
IN RECENT YEARS HE HAS TURNED HIS ATTENTION TOWARDS NOT ONLY HEALING PEOPLES RELATIONSHIPS, BUT ALSO HEALING THE PLANET ON WHICH OUR LIVES DEPEND. HE SEES A LACK OF MEANING AND CONNECTION IN OUR LIVES AS OUR CAUSE OF ADDICTION TO CONSUMERISM. WE NEED TO RESPOND TO STRESS WE ARE PUTTING ON THE EARTH. HE SAYS TO SEE THE ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF OURSELVES. HE SAYS WE SHOULD HAVE A REAL COMMUNITY WITH THE EARTH AS OUR HIGHEST PRAYER.
FEAR SEPARATION, HATE AND ANGER COME FROM THE WRONG VIEW. YOU AND THE EARTH ARE SEPARATE . BREATHE IN AND BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE THE EARTH AS WELL AS YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS.
PEOPLE WITH ANGER AND SUFFERING HAVE TO HAVE A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE IN ORDER TO HANDLE THE SUFFERING SO THEY WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN THE WORLD. PEOPLE TRY TO COVER UP THE THEIR SUFFERING BY BEING TOO BUSY. MANY PEOPLE GET ALIENATED FROM THE WORLD. THIS ENLIGHTENMENT IS VERY CRUCIAL TO AWAKENING TO LOVE THAT IS NOT AT THE HEART OF CHANGE. WE DO ANYTHING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EARTH.
POSITIVENEWS.ORG
TRIP TO BEAR VALLEY ON EASTER
ABOUT A WEEK AGO I WENT TO TO HIKE THE BEAR VALLEY TRAIL AT POINT REYES. IT IS A TRAIL MY FAMILY HAS BIKED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DISTANCE IS ROUND TRIP 8.2 MILES TO THE OCEAN ALONG A GENTLY SLOPING TRAIL THAT ENDS AT AN INTERESTING BLUFF ON THE SEASHORE. IT WAS OCCUPIED IN PREHISTORIC TIMES. THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF ANGELICA ROOT OR ANGELICA TOMENTOSA. IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ROOT USED BY THE POMO FOR PURIFYING THE BLOOD AND TO CURE SNAKE BITES. IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO CHEW TO PREVENT A SORE THROAT, CRAMPS AND OTHER USES. THE KASHAYA POMO BELIEVE IT TO BE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PLANTS. THE AREA HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF YAMPA ROOTS (PERIDERIDAIA GAIRDNERI). THIS ROOT HAS A NUT LIKE FLAVOR. THE TRAIL HAS A WIDE COURSE THAT IS ALONG A A LUSH BEAR CREEK THAT HAD WATERFALLS AT THE TIME. WE SAW A HAWK AND MY FAMILY HAS SEEN A BABY ELK ALONG THE TRAIL BEFORE. THERE ARE MANY WATERFALLS AND A VARIETY OF FERNS ON THE TRAIL THE FERNS WERE USED TO WEAVE BASKETS NOT ONLY BY THE POMO AND MIWOK BUT OTHER TRIBES. THEY ALSO WERE USED TO WRAP THERE BABIES TO COOL THEM IN THE WILLOW BASKETS WHILE THE MOM WAS GATHERING ON THE HILLSIDES.
THE DAY I WAS A T BEAR VALLEY THERE WERE FEW PEOPLE. I TOOK MY HIKING STICK AND I WAS GLAD I DID AS THERE ARE FEW PLACES TO SIT. I WOULD RECOMMEND BRINGING A PLASTIC BAG IN YOUR PACK TO SIT UPON THE GROUND AT VARIOUS PLACES. THE SMELL OF THE OUTDOORS WAS GREAT AND I WAS THANKFUL I DRESSED IN LAYERERS AS IT GOT COOL THAT DAY.
THE DAY I WAS A T BEAR VALLEY THERE WERE FEW PEOPLE. I TOOK MY HIKING STICK AND I WAS GLAD I DID AS THERE ARE FEW PLACES TO SIT. I WOULD RECOMMEND BRINGING A PLASTIC BAG IN YOUR PACK TO SIT UPON THE GROUND AT VARIOUS PLACES. THE SMELL OF THE OUTDOORS WAS GREAT AND I WAS THANKFUL I DRESSED IN LAYERERS AS IT GOT COOL THAT DAY.
QUECHI INDIANS
QUECHI ARE A CENTRAL AMERICAN MAYAN GROUP WHO SPEAKS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DIALECTS. IN THE 1980'S THE QUECHI SPEAKERS ARE ABOUT 350,000 IN GUATEMALA AND 4000 IN BELIZE. THEY HAVE 12,000 SQ. KM THEY SPEAK PROTO MAYAN.
THEIR HISTORY IS FULL OF POLITICAL CONFLICT. BEFORE 1529 GUATEMALA POLITICAL CONFLICT. BEFORE 1529 GUATEMALA WAS THE LAND OF WAR. THEY HAD MILITARY RESISTANCE. THE COMBINED FACTORS OF MILITARY RESISTANCE AND DISPERSAL OF THE QUECHE POPULATION FOR AGRICULTURAL REASONS MADE CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT NOT EFFECTIVE. THE CHURCH DID NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE QUECHI PEOPLE EITHER. THE INDIANS WERE OPEN TO EXPLOITATION AS WELL.
IN THE 19TH CENTURY PLANTATION AGRICULTURE WAS SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT POLICIES, AND HAD 2 MARKED NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE POPULATION. THE TRIBAL LANDS BECAME OWNED BY ANGLOS. THE QUECHI BECAME WAGE LABORERS. BY 1877 ALL COMMUNAL LAND WAS ABOLISHED BY GOVERNMENT DECREE. MANY MOVED TO BELIZE. BECAUSE OF POVERTY THERE HAS BEEN MUCH POLITICAL UNREST. GUATEMALA HAS RESPONDED TO THE INDIANS ACTIVISM WITH MILITARY REPRESSION. ABOUT 25% OF QUECHI POPULATION MOVED TO THE US. CORN IS CENTRAL TO THEIR LIFE.
AT THE AGE OF 6 OR 7 THE MALES GO WITH THEIR FATHERS AND THE GIRLS GO WITH THEIR MOTHERS. AT THE AGE OF 15 THEY MAY MARRY. MARRIAGE IS ARRANGED BY THE PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN AND INCLUDES A BRIDE PRICE.
THE PARENTS OF THE MALE FORM A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER PARENTS. AFTER MARRIAGE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HOUSE. SOME EXTENDED FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS EXIST. PARENTS GRANT THEIR PROPERTY TO CHILDREN WHO OFFER LABOR OR CARE GIVING.
THE QUECHI BELIEFS ARE IN GODS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE CATHOLICS CHURCH. THE QUECHI HAVE ACCEPTED THE CHRISTIAN GOD AND HOLD FIESTAS TO CELEBRATE THE PATRON SAINT OF EACH VILLAGE. WITHIN THE QUEQCHI COSMOLOGY THEIR GODS PRESIDE OVER NATURE.
THEIR TRADITIONAL RELIGION IS COMPLEX. BEFORE PLANTING THEIR CROPS THE FARMER AND WIFE PERFORM A FERTILITY RITUAL. THEY SIMILATE INTERCOURSE IN THREE CORNERS OF THEIR HOUSE. THEY HAVE OTHER CEREMONIES AS WELL.
NATIVE-LANGUAGGES.ORG
THEIR HISTORY IS FULL OF POLITICAL CONFLICT. BEFORE 1529 GUATEMALA POLITICAL CONFLICT. BEFORE 1529 GUATEMALA WAS THE LAND OF WAR. THEY HAD MILITARY RESISTANCE. THE COMBINED FACTORS OF MILITARY RESISTANCE AND DISPERSAL OF THE QUECHE POPULATION FOR AGRICULTURAL REASONS MADE CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT NOT EFFECTIVE. THE CHURCH DID NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE QUECHI PEOPLE EITHER. THE INDIANS WERE OPEN TO EXPLOITATION AS WELL.
IN THE 19TH CENTURY PLANTATION AGRICULTURE WAS SUPPORTED BY GOVERNMENT POLICIES, AND HAD 2 MARKED NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE POPULATION. THE TRIBAL LANDS BECAME OWNED BY ANGLOS. THE QUECHI BECAME WAGE LABORERS. BY 1877 ALL COMMUNAL LAND WAS ABOLISHED BY GOVERNMENT DECREE. MANY MOVED TO BELIZE. BECAUSE OF POVERTY THERE HAS BEEN MUCH POLITICAL UNREST. GUATEMALA HAS RESPONDED TO THE INDIANS ACTIVISM WITH MILITARY REPRESSION. ABOUT 25% OF QUECHI POPULATION MOVED TO THE US. CORN IS CENTRAL TO THEIR LIFE.
AT THE AGE OF 6 OR 7 THE MALES GO WITH THEIR FATHERS AND THE GIRLS GO WITH THEIR MOTHERS. AT THE AGE OF 15 THEY MAY MARRY. MARRIAGE IS ARRANGED BY THE PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN AND INCLUDES A BRIDE PRICE.
THE PARENTS OF THE MALE FORM A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER PARENTS. AFTER MARRIAGE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN HOUSE. SOME EXTENDED FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS EXIST. PARENTS GRANT THEIR PROPERTY TO CHILDREN WHO OFFER LABOR OR CARE GIVING.
THE QUECHI BELIEFS ARE IN GODS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE CATHOLICS CHURCH. THE QUECHI HAVE ACCEPTED THE CHRISTIAN GOD AND HOLD FIESTAS TO CELEBRATE THE PATRON SAINT OF EACH VILLAGE. WITHIN THE QUEQCHI COSMOLOGY THEIR GODS PRESIDE OVER NATURE.
THEIR TRADITIONAL RELIGION IS COMPLEX. BEFORE PLANTING THEIR CROPS THE FARMER AND WIFE PERFORM A FERTILITY RITUAL. THEY SIMILATE INTERCOURSE IN THREE CORNERS OF THEIR HOUSE. THEY HAVE OTHER CEREMONIES AS WELL.
NATIVE-LANGUAGGES.ORG
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
POQOMANN INDIANS
POQOMANN ARE A MEMBER OF POQUOMAMCHI INDIANS IN NORTH GUATEMALA. SOME HAVE MOVED TO EL SALVADOR. BY 1980'S THEIR POPULATION WAS 45,000. THEY LIVED IN THE HIGHLANDS OF GUATETO EL SALVADOR
BY THE 16TH CENTURY THE SPANISH MOVED INTO THE REGION AND CONQUERED THE POQOMAM. DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD THE EUROPEAN DISEASES AND WARFARE REDUCED THEIR POPULATION. MANY RELOCATED TO MISSIONARY SETTLEMENTS. GUATEMALA POLICIES THAT OUTLAWED COMMUNAL LANDS FORCED THEM TO SMALLER PARCELS OF LAND. IN THE 20TH CENTURY THEIR POPULATION WAS STABLE. THERE STILL IS MILITARY POLITICAL FORCES, SO MANY HAVE MOVED TO THE U.S.
THEY BUILD THEIR HOUSES OF CANE OR ADOBE, THE ROOFS ARE THATCHED WITH LONG GRASS AND THE LADINO HOUSES ARE BUILT OF BRICK WITH TIN ROOFS. THESE FOLKS MAKE CHARCOAL POTTERY AND PLOT AGRICULTURE. STAPLE CROPS ARE MAIZE AND BEANS. MANY MEN PRODUCE CHARCOAL TO SELL IN GUATEMALA CITY. THIS IS DONE BY BURNING OAKS IN A PIT FOR 5 DAYS. THEY MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY BURN. THIS PLUS MAIZE AND BEANS FURNISHES THE FAMILIES SUBSISTENCE.
WOMEN 'S WORK IS COOKING MAINTAINING THE GARDEN, RAISING CHILDREN, WASHING CLOTHES. MANY SELL THE POTTERY THEY PRODUCE. THEIR POTTERY IS POLISHED AND FIRED.
MARRIAGES INVOLVE A LONG SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN FAMILIES. THEY HAVE BOTH A CIVIL AND A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY FOR 3 DAYS.
THEIR RELIGION IS TRADITIONAL FRAMEWORK INTO WHICH CATHOLICISM HAS BEEN ASSIMILATED. THEY ACCEPT CATHOLICISM AND THE POKOMAN TAILOR THEIR BELIEFS TO REINFORCE TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. LUCK IS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF POQOMANN REGIGIOUS LIFE. THEY HAVE MYTHS THAT ARE UNKNOWN. CENTRAL TO MANY STORIES. IT IS A BELIEF IN CHARMED PLACES WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO PASS INTO THE UNDERWORLD. HERE THEY FIND WEALTH AND KNOWLEDGE. LUCK MAY COME TO BIRTH OR AS A GIFT FROM THE UNDERWOOD.
DISEASE IS THOUGHT OF BY THE SUPERNATURAL FORCE. THEY BELIEVE THAT WITCHES CATCH CAST SPELLSTHAT CAUSE ILLNESS. THEY CONDUCT RITUALS DURING 68 DAYS OF THE YEAR TO MAINTAIN BALANCE BETWEENEARTH AND THE SUPERNATURAL.
AFTER DEATH THE FAMILY GATHERS TO HOLD A FEAST. THEY PRAY FOR THE SOUL FOR 9 DAYS AND THEY MUST PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF THE DECEASED DURING EACH DAY. THEY BELEIVE IN A HEAVEN AND THEY PLACE FOOD BY A GRAVE.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
BY THE 16TH CENTURY THE SPANISH MOVED INTO THE REGION AND CONQUERED THE POQOMAM. DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD THE EUROPEAN DISEASES AND WARFARE REDUCED THEIR POPULATION. MANY RELOCATED TO MISSIONARY SETTLEMENTS. GUATEMALA POLICIES THAT OUTLAWED COMMUNAL LANDS FORCED THEM TO SMALLER PARCELS OF LAND. IN THE 20TH CENTURY THEIR POPULATION WAS STABLE. THERE STILL IS MILITARY POLITICAL FORCES, SO MANY HAVE MOVED TO THE U.S.
THEY BUILD THEIR HOUSES OF CANE OR ADOBE, THE ROOFS ARE THATCHED WITH LONG GRASS AND THE LADINO HOUSES ARE BUILT OF BRICK WITH TIN ROOFS. THESE FOLKS MAKE CHARCOAL POTTERY AND PLOT AGRICULTURE. STAPLE CROPS ARE MAIZE AND BEANS. MANY MEN PRODUCE CHARCOAL TO SELL IN GUATEMALA CITY. THIS IS DONE BY BURNING OAKS IN A PIT FOR 5 DAYS. THEY MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY BURN. THIS PLUS MAIZE AND BEANS FURNISHES THE FAMILIES SUBSISTENCE.
WOMEN 'S WORK IS COOKING MAINTAINING THE GARDEN, RAISING CHILDREN, WASHING CLOTHES. MANY SELL THE POTTERY THEY PRODUCE. THEIR POTTERY IS POLISHED AND FIRED.
MARRIAGES INVOLVE A LONG SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN FAMILIES. THEY HAVE BOTH A CIVIL AND A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY FOR 3 DAYS.
THEIR RELIGION IS TRADITIONAL FRAMEWORK INTO WHICH CATHOLICISM HAS BEEN ASSIMILATED. THEY ACCEPT CATHOLICISM AND THE POKOMAN TAILOR THEIR BELIEFS TO REINFORCE TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. LUCK IS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF POQOMANN REGIGIOUS LIFE. THEY HAVE MYTHS THAT ARE UNKNOWN. CENTRAL TO MANY STORIES. IT IS A BELIEF IN CHARMED PLACES WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO PASS INTO THE UNDERWORLD. HERE THEY FIND WEALTH AND KNOWLEDGE. LUCK MAY COME TO BIRTH OR AS A GIFT FROM THE UNDERWOOD.
DISEASE IS THOUGHT OF BY THE SUPERNATURAL FORCE. THEY BELIEVE THAT WITCHES CATCH CAST SPELLSTHAT CAUSE ILLNESS. THEY CONDUCT RITUALS DURING 68 DAYS OF THE YEAR TO MAINTAIN BALANCE BETWEENEARTH AND THE SUPERNATURAL.
AFTER DEATH THE FAMILY GATHERS TO HOLD A FEAST. THEY PRAY FOR THE SOUL FOR 9 DAYS AND THEY MUST PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF THE DECEASED DURING EACH DAY. THEY BELEIVE IN A HEAVEN AND THEY PLACE FOOD BY A GRAVE.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
TODOS SANTERO MAM
THERE ARE 1/2 MILLION PEOPLE IN GUATEMALA BY HUEHUETENANGO IN NORTHWESTERN GUATEMALA. ABOUT 30,000 ARE LIVING HERE WHO SPEAK THE MAM LANGUAGE. THEY LIVE IN A STEEP VALLEY OF ABOUT 2500 M IN THE CHUCHUMATAN MOUNTAINS. THE TOWN IS TWO HOURS FROM THE CAPITAL. THEY LIVE IN PARTIAL TROPICAL RAIN FOREST. THEY HAVE A RAINY SEASON THAT LASTS FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER. THEY ARE HARD WORKING AND SELF RELIANT. MANY OF THE MARE QUITE FLUENT IN SPANISH. MANY MOVE TO THE U.S. TO FIND WORK. THE WOMEN ARE EXCELLENT WEAVERS AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND THEIR ART IS CREATIVE. THEY MAKE BEAUTIFUL TEXTILES FOR THE TOURISTS AND THEIR TOWN. THEY ARE ALSO DEVOTED MOTHERS WHO ARE INSEPARABLE FROM THEIR INFANTS. THEY COOK, TEND ANIMALS, AND DO OTHER CHORES. MEN CHROCHET HANDBAGS. MEN GROW CORN, POTATOES, BEANS, AND SQUASH AND HALL WOOD. MOST PEOPLE ARE IN EXCEPTIONAL PHYSICAL SHAPE. THEY HAVE RIGOROUS ROUTINES. ON MARKET DAYS THEY HIKE 4 TO 5 MILES HOURS ACROSS RUGGED TERRAIN IN 3500 M IN ELEVATION TO THE CAPITAL. THEY PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE LOLANDS (COFFE, BANANAS, AND POTATOES). ELEMENTS OF MAYAN COSMOLOGY PERVADE EVERYDAY LIFE BUT THEIR CEREMONIES ARE LESS OFTEN USED.
THE CITY IS FAMOUS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF ALL SAINTS DAY IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE A HORSE RACETHAT IS IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE A HORSE RACE THAT IS THE HIGH POINT OF THE CEREMONIES. THE SPIRITS OF THE ANCESTORS ARE HONORED IN THE CEMETERY.THEY DANCE WITH THE MARIMBA, FOODS AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO RUINS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE THE SPANISH. THERE ARE TWO RUINS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. COSTUME CEREMONIES ARE STILL SOMETIMES HELD NEXT TO THE ALTAR THE OTHER CROSSES.
SOME FOLKS ARE OK WITH HAVING THEIR PHOTO TAKEN IN SPITE OF INCONSIDERATE BEHAVIOR OF TOURISTS. THEY ASK TOURISTS TO GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE ASKING PERMISSION TO PHOTOGRAPH THEM. THEY APPRECIATE BEING SENT A COPY OF THEIR PHOTO. THEY ARE WORKING TO OBTAIN IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LIBRARY.
STETSON/EDU
THE CITY IS FAMOUS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF ALL SAINTS DAY IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE A HORSE RACETHAT IS IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE A HORSE RACE THAT IS THE HIGH POINT OF THE CEREMONIES. THE SPIRITS OF THE ANCESTORS ARE HONORED IN THE CEMETERY.THEY DANCE WITH THE MARIMBA, FOODS AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO RUINS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. THEY MAY HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE THE SPANISH. THERE ARE TWO RUINS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. COSTUME CEREMONIES ARE STILL SOMETIMES HELD NEXT TO THE ALTAR THE OTHER CROSSES.
SOME FOLKS ARE OK WITH HAVING THEIR PHOTO TAKEN IN SPITE OF INCONSIDERATE BEHAVIOR OF TOURISTS. THEY ASK TOURISTS TO GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE ASKING PERMISSION TO PHOTOGRAPH THEM. THEY APPRECIATE BEING SENT A COPY OF THEIR PHOTO. THEY ARE WORKING TO OBTAIN IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE LIBRARY.
STETSON/EDU
JAKELTEKO INDIANS
THE JAKALTEKO ARE A WESTERN MAYA INDIAN GROUP. THEIR POPULATION WAS $16,000 TO $30,000. MOST OF LIVE IN HUAHUETENANGO. MUCH LAND HAS BEEN TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT AND THEY ARE MIGRANT LABORERS.. IN 1980 MANY CAME TO THE U.S. TO ESCAPE GOVERNMENT PERSECUTION.
THEY HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE PRE COLUMBIAN TIMES. THEY LIVE ABOVE 1437M ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
THE TOWN OF JAKELTECO IS A GOVERNMENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS AND MARKET CENTER OF THE REGION. IT IS CALLED A PLACE OF OF BIG WHITE ROCK SLABS. IT WAS PHYSICALLY A REMOTE CENTER FROM SPANISH CENTERS. IT IS A TWO DAY WALK FROM THE CAPITAL. SINCE 1974 AN UNPAVED ROAD WAS BUILT. IT IS A 5 HOUR BUS RIDE FROM THE CAPITAL. BY 1979 THEY GOT ELECTRICITY. THEIR ISOLATION HAVE RESULTED IN THEIR CONTINUED USE OF MY CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIAL LOSS ELSEWHERE. THE JAKALTEKO STILL USE THE BLOW GUN FOR HUNTING BIRDS AND SMALL ANIMALS. THEY HAVE A BELIEF SYSTEM WHICH INVOLVES NEGUELS AND TONALS.
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THEY HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE PRE COLUMBIAN TIMES. THEY LIVE ABOVE 1437M ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
THE TOWN OF JAKELTECO IS A GOVERNMENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS AND MARKET CENTER OF THE REGION. IT IS CALLED A PLACE OF OF BIG WHITE ROCK SLABS. IT WAS PHYSICALLY A REMOTE CENTER FROM SPANISH CENTERS. IT IS A TWO DAY WALK FROM THE CAPITAL. SINCE 1974 AN UNPAVED ROAD WAS BUILT. IT IS A 5 HOUR BUS RIDE FROM THE CAPITAL. BY 1979 THEY GOT ELECTRICITY. THEIR ISOLATION HAVE RESULTED IN THEIR CONTINUED USE OF MY CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIAL LOSS ELSEWHERE. THE JAKALTEKO STILL USE THE BLOW GUN FOR HUNTING BIRDS AND SMALL ANIMALS. THEY HAVE A BELIEF SYSTEM WHICH INVOLVES NEGUELS AND TONALS.
EVERY-CULTURE.COM
QANJOBAL INDIANS
THE QUANJOBAL ARE A MAYAN GROUP THE QUANJOBAL ARE ONE OF THE MAYAN GROUPS LIVING IN THE CHUCHUMATAN MOUNTAINS. THEY LIVED IN THE VARIOUS CLIMATE RANGES. THERE ARE 70,000 INDIANS LIVING IN IN THE NORTHWEST LIVING IN IN THE NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS. THEY SPEAK QUANJOBAL IN THIS AREA.
THE SPANISHCONQUEST OF QUANJOBAL BEGAN IN THE 1520'S WHEN DEDRO ALVARADO HAD SOLDIERS THROUGH GUATEMALA TO CONQUER THE INDIANS. EUROPEAN DISEASES AND MILITARY ATTACKS SERVED TO WEAKEN AND DEPLETE THESE NATIVES.
DURING THE COLONIAL PERIODTHE PRIVATE LAND HOLDERS STOLE INDIAN LANDS TO GROW COFFEE WHICH BROUGHT THEM MUCH MONEY. BECAUSE OF THE THEIR GOVERNMENT, THE QUAJOBAL INDIANS LOST MORE THAN 70% OF THEIR LANDS TO LADINOS IN 1880 TO 1920. THEIR LANDS HAVE BEEN UMDER CONTINUED PRESSURE. THEY LIVE IN HOUSES NEAR FIELDS. THEIR HOUSES ARE MADE OF ONE ROOM DWELLINGS MADE OF POLES WITH THATCHED WITH THATCHED ROOFS. THEY MAKE SWEAT BATHS ADJACENT TO THEIR ENTRANCE.
THEY MAINLY GROW CORN, BEANS, AND SQUASH. THEY GROW SURPLUS CORN AND SELL IT FOR CASH. THEY FARM ON STEEP MOUNTAINS SIDES. THEY USE A HOE AND NO PLOWS OR ANIMALS.MANY BECOME MIGRANT LABORERS.
WEAVING IS THE MAIN ECONOMIC ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR WOMEN. THEY USE INTRICATE LOOMS WITH CLOTHES AND BLOUSES. EACH TOWN HAS IT'S OWN DESIGN - IT IS POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY BASED ON THEIR CLOTHING. MARRIAGES INVOLVE MUCH RITUAL AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE COUPLE MOVES INTO THE HOUSE OF THE GROOM'S FATHER.
THIS RELIGION COMBINES TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND CATHOLICSM. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A CATHOLIC GOD, JESUS AND THE VIRGIN MARY, THEY PLACE THEM INTO THEIR OWN TRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVES.THEY HAVE DIETIES WHO DO EVEIL . A CROSS SECTION IS THE CENTRAL SYMBOL THAT STANDS IN FRONT OF THE CHURCHES. THE CROSS IS THE THE INTEGRAL PART OF THE MAYA CALENDAR.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
THE SPANISHCONQUEST OF QUANJOBAL BEGAN IN THE 1520'S WHEN DEDRO ALVARADO HAD SOLDIERS THROUGH GUATEMALA TO CONQUER THE INDIANS. EUROPEAN DISEASES AND MILITARY ATTACKS SERVED TO WEAKEN AND DEPLETE THESE NATIVES.
DURING THE COLONIAL PERIODTHE PRIVATE LAND HOLDERS STOLE INDIAN LANDS TO GROW COFFEE WHICH BROUGHT THEM MUCH MONEY. BECAUSE OF THE THEIR GOVERNMENT, THE QUAJOBAL INDIANS LOST MORE THAN 70% OF THEIR LANDS TO LADINOS IN 1880 TO 1920. THEIR LANDS HAVE BEEN UMDER CONTINUED PRESSURE. THEY LIVE IN HOUSES NEAR FIELDS. THEIR HOUSES ARE MADE OF ONE ROOM DWELLINGS MADE OF POLES WITH THATCHED WITH THATCHED ROOFS. THEY MAKE SWEAT BATHS ADJACENT TO THEIR ENTRANCE.
THEY MAINLY GROW CORN, BEANS, AND SQUASH. THEY GROW SURPLUS CORN AND SELL IT FOR CASH. THEY FARM ON STEEP MOUNTAINS SIDES. THEY USE A HOE AND NO PLOWS OR ANIMALS.MANY BECOME MIGRANT LABORERS.
WEAVING IS THE MAIN ECONOMIC ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR WOMEN. THEY USE INTRICATE LOOMS WITH CLOTHES AND BLOUSES. EACH TOWN HAS IT'S OWN DESIGN - IT IS POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY BASED ON THEIR CLOTHING. MARRIAGES INVOLVE MUCH RITUAL AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE COUPLE MOVES INTO THE HOUSE OF THE GROOM'S FATHER.
THIS RELIGION COMBINES TRADITIONAL BELIEFS AND CATHOLICSM. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A CATHOLIC GOD, JESUS AND THE VIRGIN MARY, THEY PLACE THEM INTO THEIR OWN TRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVES.THEY HAVE DIETIES WHO DO EVEIL . A CROSS SECTION IS THE CENTRAL SYMBOL THAT STANDS IN FRONT OF THE CHURCHES. THE CROSS IS THE THE INTEGRAL PART OF THE MAYA CALENDAR.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
Monday, April 16, 2012
CHUJ INDIANS
THE CHUG ARE A MAYAN PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE HUCHUETENANGI. CHUG IS A LOOSE WORD WORN BY CHUJ MEN. THE CHUGS THINK IT MEANS SWEAT BATH. DURING THE 1980'S THERE WAS SOME POLITICAL VIOLENCE WHICH FORCED THE CHUG TO LEAVE CITIES AND LIVE IN SMALL VILLAGES IN THE MOUNTAINS. SOME LEFT GUATEMALA. THEY HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 29,000 PRESENTLY. THEY SPEAK A MAYAN LANGUAGE AND ALSO SPANISH. SINCE THE 1970'S CHUJ WOMEN HAVE BEEN BILINGUAL. THESE FOLKS HAVE OCCUPIED THEIR TERRITORY FOR MILLENIA. THE CHUG'S ANCESTORS THE PROTO MAYA LIVED HERE FOR OVER 2000 YEARS.
A MODERN CITY IS ON A PRECOLUMBIAN MOUND WHICH DATES TO A LATE CLASSIC PERIOD (600 TO 900 YEARS AGO). IT IS BY A RICH SALT DEPOSIT. CHUG SALT WAS TRADED THROUGHOUT REGIONS OF MEXICO. GUATEMALAN TROOPS IN 1980'S CUT DOWN TREES FOR FOR ROAD WHEN THEY WERE IN
A PERIOD OF CIVIL STRIFE. THIS LOWERED THE WATER TABLE TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT ONLY A SALT DEPOSIT IS LEFT. IN PRE-HISPANIC PERIOD SAN SEBASTIAN COATAN WAS A FOCAL POINT OF TRADE AND RITUALS.
THE CLOTHING THE GUATEMALANS WEAR ARE FESTIVE. THE WOMEN EMBROIDER SOME WONDERFUL HUIPILS OR BLOUSES WITH WRAPPED SKIRTS. THE WOMEN WEAR SOME COTTON PANTS. MEN WEAR SOME COTTON PANTS AND EMBROIDERED SHIRTS. THE WOMEN WEAR THEIR HAIR BRAIDED , WRAPPED WITH RIBBONS.
THEIR MARRIAGES ARE ARRANGED. THERE IS A COURTSHIP PATTERN WHERE A YOUTH MIGHT FIND A GIRL WHO HE MIGHT LIKE AND CONTINUE TO MEET HER AT COMMUNAL WATER SPOTS. IF SHE LIKES HIM IF SHE LIKES HIM SHE FINDS A WAY TO MEET WITH HIM THAT WILL TAKE HER OUT OF THE HOUSE. WHEN HE FEELS HE CAN START A HOUSEHOLD HE TELLS HER PARENTS OF HIS INTENTION AS WELL AS THE GIRL. IF THEY APPROVE THEY GET A SPOKESPERSON TO GO ALONG TO THE GIRL'S HOUSE. BOTH PARENTS ALL OF THIS STUFF. IF THE GROOM IS POOR HE MAY WORK FOR THE BRIDE'S PARENTS.
THE NUCLEAR FAMILY IS THE SMALLEST DOMESTIC UNIT. THE MEMBERS ARE CHILD CARE DUTIES WITH HUSBAND'S BROTHER'S AND PARENTS. THE FAMILY SOMETIMES PLANTS AND HARVESTS, AND THEIR CROPS
ARE SHARED ON A WORK BASIS. THEY FAVOR THE FIRST SON. THEY HAVE AN INITIATION CEREMONY FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. THE OLDER CHILDREN INSTRUCT THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.
THEIR GOVERNMENT BUILT SCHOOLS ON THEIR TOWNS. THE SCHOOLS PUNISH NATIVE LANGUAGES. THE SCHOOL BOOKS DEPICT INDIAN CULTURE AS A PROBLEM TO MODERN SOCIETY. SOME OF THEIR MYTHS ARE BELIEVED TO BE STUPID. TEACHERS ARE PROVIDED MANUALS FOR EACH OF THE TOPICS, FROM ASTRONOMY TO MATH. SOME PROGRAMS HAVE NOT BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE SCHOOLS.
A FEW FAMILIES HAVE BECOME PROTESTANT IN SAN SEBIATIAZ. THIS TOWN IS SPLIT BETWEEN TRADITIONS AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. THE TRADITIONAL MAINTAIN , THE 260 DAY CALENDAR TO CELEBRATE THE RITUALS OF PLANING AND HARVESTING., NEW FIRE, AND NEW YEAR CATHOLICS THINK THESE ARE LIES.
THEY TRADITIONALLY BELIEVE MOST NATURAL FEATURES HAVE HAVE SPIRITS, HILLS,ROCKS, STREAMS, AND CAVES. A PETITIONER BRINGS AN OFFERING USUALLY CANDLES AND LIQUOR AND WATER WITH HIS OR HER QUESTIONS ON A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER. THE NEXT DAY THEY RETURN AND PICK UP THE WRITTEN ANSWER. THEY HAVE SEVERAL SPECIALISTS WHO MAKE PRAYERS. EACH TOWN SHOULD HAVE A PRINCIPAL PRAYER WHO SITS IN THE RITUAL CALENDAR. THEY HAVE DIVINERS, HERBALISTS, BONE SETTERS, MASSEURS AND SORCERERS.
THEY HAVE MANY CEREMONIES THAT ARE HELD AT BIRTH , PURIFICATION OF MOTHER AND CHILD IN A SAUNA, AND BURIAL OF AFTER BIRTH AND BAPTISM AND OTHER PURIFICATION, MARRIAGE, DEATHBED, LIBRIAL PURIFICATION, AND ANNIVERSARIES. PRAYER PRACTITIONERS CAN PETITION FOR HEALTH, SOBRIETY, GOOD CROPS, AND STRONG ANIMALS WHO SETS THE CHUG BELIEF THAT DEATH IS A TRANSITION TO ANCESTORHOOD. THEIR SPIRITS ENFORCE THEIR MISFORTUNE . SPIRITS MAINTAIN AN INTEREST IN AND ADVICE IN FAMILIES AND THEIR MEMBERS.
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A MODERN CITY IS ON A PRECOLUMBIAN MOUND WHICH DATES TO A LATE CLASSIC PERIOD (600 TO 900 YEARS AGO). IT IS BY A RICH SALT DEPOSIT. CHUG SALT WAS TRADED THROUGHOUT REGIONS OF MEXICO. GUATEMALAN TROOPS IN 1980'S CUT DOWN TREES FOR FOR ROAD WHEN THEY WERE IN
A PERIOD OF CIVIL STRIFE. THIS LOWERED THE WATER TABLE TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT ONLY A SALT DEPOSIT IS LEFT. IN PRE-HISPANIC PERIOD SAN SEBASTIAN COATAN WAS A FOCAL POINT OF TRADE AND RITUALS.
THE CLOTHING THE GUATEMALANS WEAR ARE FESTIVE. THE WOMEN EMBROIDER SOME WONDERFUL HUIPILS OR BLOUSES WITH WRAPPED SKIRTS. THE WOMEN WEAR SOME COTTON PANTS. MEN WEAR SOME COTTON PANTS AND EMBROIDERED SHIRTS. THE WOMEN WEAR THEIR HAIR BRAIDED , WRAPPED WITH RIBBONS.
THEIR MARRIAGES ARE ARRANGED. THERE IS A COURTSHIP PATTERN WHERE A YOUTH MIGHT FIND A GIRL WHO HE MIGHT LIKE AND CONTINUE TO MEET HER AT COMMUNAL WATER SPOTS. IF SHE LIKES HIM IF SHE LIKES HIM SHE FINDS A WAY TO MEET WITH HIM THAT WILL TAKE HER OUT OF THE HOUSE. WHEN HE FEELS HE CAN START A HOUSEHOLD HE TELLS HER PARENTS OF HIS INTENTION AS WELL AS THE GIRL. IF THEY APPROVE THEY GET A SPOKESPERSON TO GO ALONG TO THE GIRL'S HOUSE. BOTH PARENTS ALL OF THIS STUFF. IF THE GROOM IS POOR HE MAY WORK FOR THE BRIDE'S PARENTS.
THE NUCLEAR FAMILY IS THE SMALLEST DOMESTIC UNIT. THE MEMBERS ARE CHILD CARE DUTIES WITH HUSBAND'S BROTHER'S AND PARENTS. THE FAMILY SOMETIMES PLANTS AND HARVESTS, AND THEIR CROPS
ARE SHARED ON A WORK BASIS. THEY FAVOR THE FIRST SON. THEY HAVE AN INITIATION CEREMONY FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. THE OLDER CHILDREN INSTRUCT THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.
THEIR GOVERNMENT BUILT SCHOOLS ON THEIR TOWNS. THE SCHOOLS PUNISH NATIVE LANGUAGES. THE SCHOOL BOOKS DEPICT INDIAN CULTURE AS A PROBLEM TO MODERN SOCIETY. SOME OF THEIR MYTHS ARE BELIEVED TO BE STUPID. TEACHERS ARE PROVIDED MANUALS FOR EACH OF THE TOPICS, FROM ASTRONOMY TO MATH. SOME PROGRAMS HAVE NOT BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE SCHOOLS.
A FEW FAMILIES HAVE BECOME PROTESTANT IN SAN SEBIATIAZ. THIS TOWN IS SPLIT BETWEEN TRADITIONS AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. THE TRADITIONAL MAINTAIN , THE 260 DAY CALENDAR TO CELEBRATE THE RITUALS OF PLANING AND HARVESTING., NEW FIRE, AND NEW YEAR CATHOLICS THINK THESE ARE LIES.
THEY TRADITIONALLY BELIEVE MOST NATURAL FEATURES HAVE HAVE SPIRITS, HILLS,ROCKS, STREAMS, AND CAVES. A PETITIONER BRINGS AN OFFERING USUALLY CANDLES AND LIQUOR AND WATER WITH HIS OR HER QUESTIONS ON A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER. THE NEXT DAY THEY RETURN AND PICK UP THE WRITTEN ANSWER. THEY HAVE SEVERAL SPECIALISTS WHO MAKE PRAYERS. EACH TOWN SHOULD HAVE A PRINCIPAL PRAYER WHO SITS IN THE RITUAL CALENDAR. THEY HAVE DIVINERS, HERBALISTS, BONE SETTERS, MASSEURS AND SORCERERS.
THEY HAVE MANY CEREMONIES THAT ARE HELD AT BIRTH , PURIFICATION OF MOTHER AND CHILD IN A SAUNA, AND BURIAL OF AFTER BIRTH AND BAPTISM AND OTHER PURIFICATION, MARRIAGE, DEATHBED, LIBRIAL PURIFICATION, AND ANNIVERSARIES. PRAYER PRACTITIONERS CAN PETITION FOR HEALTH, SOBRIETY, GOOD CROPS, AND STRONG ANIMALS WHO SETS THE CHUG BELIEF THAT DEATH IS A TRANSITION TO ANCESTORHOOD. THEIR SPIRITS ENFORCE THEIR MISFORTUNE . SPIRITS MAINTAIN AN INTEREST IN AND ADVICE IN FAMILIES AND THEIR MEMBERS.
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CHORTI INDIANS
OVER 52000 CHORI FOLKS LIVE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF GUATEMALA ; 4000 LIVE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COPAN IN HONDURAS. THEY LIVE MAIZE AND BEANS. BY 1520 THE SPANISH HAD BECOME THE PRIMARY REGIONAL POWER. WAR AND DISEASES KILLED MANY CHORTI DURING THE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES. THEIR CULTURAL CENTER IS COPAN WHERE ANCIENT MAYA CIVILIZATION LIVED. THE CHORTI BELONG TO MERIDIONAL MAYANS. SOME ALSO LIVE IN HONDURAS. MOST FOLKS IN COPAN SPEAK SPANISH. THEY HAVE KEPT THEIR TRADITIONAL DRESSING AND MUSIC TRADITIONS. THEY EAT PRIMARILY CORN AND BEANS, TORTILLAS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. THEIR RELIGION IS BASED ON ADORING NATURE, RITUALS AND DEDICATED TO THE GODS.
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CAKCHIQUEL INDIANS IN
THERE ARE HALF A MILLION INDIANS LIVING IN GUATEMALA. THEY ALLIED WITH THE SPANISH IN 1520'S TO RETALIATE AGAINST THE RICHE MATJA. IN 1526 THEY ATTACKED THEIR NEW MASTERSWERE DEFEATED . THEY LIVED IN THE HILLS, THE CAKCHIQUEL LOST MUCH OF THEIR LAND AND BECAME LABORERS. SOME LEFT QUATEMALA AND WENT TO MEXICO IOR TO THE U.S.
NATIVE LANGUAGES.ORG
NATIVE LANGUAGES.ORG
Friday, April 13, 2012
AWAKATEKO INDIANS IN GUATEMALA
AWAKATEKO ARE INDIGENOUS TO MAYAN ETHNIC GROUPS AND LIVE IN HIGHLANDS OF GUATEMALA. THE TRADITIONAL HOME OF THE AWAKATECO WAS IN A VOLCANIC RANGE. THEY LIVE AT 1500 TO 3000 M WITH WITH YEARLY RAINFALL OF 100 CM. IT IS A HUMID AREA CHARACTERIZED AREA BY AREAS RANGING FROM HEAVY FORESTS TO RAIN FORESTS.
THEY LIVE IN OVER 300 SQUARE KM. ABOUT 87% OF THE POPULATION . THE MAYA CIVILIZATION FLOURISHED IN THE LOWLANDS OF THE PETEN AND YUCATAN. A QUEST WAS IN THE 16TH CENTURY WESTERN GUATEMALA HIGHLANDS THE CLASSIC MAYA HAD PASSED THEIR PEAK.
THE LATINOS HAD FORMED A LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHO HAD DICTATORIAL POWER OVER THE INDIANS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY WHO HAD DICTATORIAL POWER OVER OVER THE INDIANS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. THE AWAKATEKO BEGAN TO DISSOLVE IN 1944. BETWEEN 1904 - 1964 THE CIVIL-RELIGIOUS SYSTEM COLLAPSED. POWER WAS SHIFTED FROM ELDERS TO YOUNGER GROUPS HAT ALLOWED THE AWATECO TO ASSERT LEADERSHIP. BY 1971 THE GUATEMALA MILITARY SENT TROOPS TO AQUACANTAN BECAUSE OF AN INDIAN UPRISING. SOME INDIANS WENT TO PRISON FOR A WEEK. VARIOUS POLITICAL PROBLEMS PERSISTED.
AWAKATECKO SETTLEMENTS HAVE FOCUSED ON CENTRAL PLAZAS, WHERE TRADE AND EXCHANGE TAKE PLACE. THEIR MARKET IS A CENTRAL SOCIALIZING PLACE FOR MERCHANTS. THEY BUILT HOUSES AROUND THEIR AGRICULTURE PLOTS AND THE CENTRAL TOWN. THEIR FARMERS HAVE LESS THAN 22 HECTARES OF LAND. THEIR TYPICAL HOUSE IS ONE ROOM DWELLING OF ADOBE WITH PORCHES WHERE FAMILIES GATHER. THEY HAVE NO FURNITURE EXCEPT A PLANK BED. THEY HAVE A BATH OR SAUNA LOCATED NEAR THE HOUSE.
THEY MARRY AT THE AGE OF 15 TO 18. THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE SETS A PRICE. BOTH MUST HAVE TO SOME DEGREE THE SAME RELIGION. THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY IS ARRANGED WITH TRADING CACAO BEANS. THE INFLUENCE OF MISSIONARY WORK. ONCE MARRIED THE BRIDE LIVES AT THE BRIDE'S HOUSE. SHE IS VISITED NIGHTLY BY HER HUSBAND. IN THREE WEEKS THEY MOVED TO THE HUSBAND'S HOUSE. SONS LIVE NEAR PARENTS LAND AND DAUGHTERS LEAVE THEIR HOMES. DIVORCE IS NOT COMMON.
THE COMMON DOMESTIC UNIT IS FATHER MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN. SOME FAMILIES HAVE WIDOWED PARENTS. OBEDIENCE OF CHILDREN IS INSTILLED AT A VERY EARLY AGE.
THEY PRACTICE A MIX OF CATHOLICISM , PROTESTANT, NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ANCESTOR WORSHIP. THEY HAVE MANY GODS REPRESENTING THE NATURAL FEATURES - MOUNTAINS, SPRINGS. PLANETS ARE CONSIDERED GODS.. DECEASED PARENTS ARE AN ACTIVE PART IN THEIR LIVES. THEY HAVE A STRANGE WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH DECEASED RELATIVES. SHAMANS LEAD MAGICAL AND PUBLIC RITUALS. THEY HELP IN SPIRITUAL CLEANSING BY SCATTERING BEANS ON THE GROUND. THEY PICK THEM UP WHILE RECITING THE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
SOME OF THE FESTIVALS LASTED 7 DAYS AND THEY HAD PARADES, MUSIC , DANCING, AND MUCH DRINKING.
SHAMANS PERFORMED CEREMONIES. THERE WERE 3 DANCES WITH SOME MINOR RITUALS. IN THEIR TRADITIONAL RELIGION DEAD ANCESTORS PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE IN CURING THROUGH SHAMANIC INTERVENTION. SHAMANS ARE HIRED FOR SPIRITUAL CONSULTATION.
THESE INDIANS DO NOT CONCEIVE OF THE AFTER LIFE AS A HEAVEN OR HELL. THEY BELIEVE PEOPLE ARE ACTIVE IN THEIR ACTIVE LIFE. THIS WAS CALLED ANCESTOR WORSHIP. IT ALL CHANGED IN THE 1950'S WHEN CATHOLIC MISSIONS CAME HERE. THEY DRASTICALLY CHANGED THEIR LIVES.
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THEY LIVE IN OVER 300 SQUARE KM. ABOUT 87% OF THE POPULATION . THE MAYA CIVILIZATION FLOURISHED IN THE LOWLANDS OF THE PETEN AND YUCATAN. A QUEST WAS IN THE 16TH CENTURY WESTERN GUATEMALA HIGHLANDS THE CLASSIC MAYA HAD PASSED THEIR PEAK.
THE LATINOS HAD FORMED A LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHO HAD DICTATORIAL POWER OVER THE INDIANS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY WHO HAD DICTATORIAL POWER OVER OVER THE INDIANS IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. THE AWAKATEKO BEGAN TO DISSOLVE IN 1944. BETWEEN 1904 - 1964 THE CIVIL-RELIGIOUS SYSTEM COLLAPSED. POWER WAS SHIFTED FROM ELDERS TO YOUNGER GROUPS HAT ALLOWED THE AWATECO TO ASSERT LEADERSHIP. BY 1971 THE GUATEMALA MILITARY SENT TROOPS TO AQUACANTAN BECAUSE OF AN INDIAN UPRISING. SOME INDIANS WENT TO PRISON FOR A WEEK. VARIOUS POLITICAL PROBLEMS PERSISTED.
AWAKATECKO SETTLEMENTS HAVE FOCUSED ON CENTRAL PLAZAS, WHERE TRADE AND EXCHANGE TAKE PLACE. THEIR MARKET IS A CENTRAL SOCIALIZING PLACE FOR MERCHANTS. THEY BUILT HOUSES AROUND THEIR AGRICULTURE PLOTS AND THE CENTRAL TOWN. THEIR FARMERS HAVE LESS THAN 22 HECTARES OF LAND. THEIR TYPICAL HOUSE IS ONE ROOM DWELLING OF ADOBE WITH PORCHES WHERE FAMILIES GATHER. THEY HAVE NO FURNITURE EXCEPT A PLANK BED. THEY HAVE A BATH OR SAUNA LOCATED NEAR THE HOUSE.
THEY MARRY AT THE AGE OF 15 TO 18. THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE SETS A PRICE. BOTH MUST HAVE TO SOME DEGREE THE SAME RELIGION. THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY IS ARRANGED WITH TRADING CACAO BEANS. THE INFLUENCE OF MISSIONARY WORK. ONCE MARRIED THE BRIDE LIVES AT THE BRIDE'S HOUSE. SHE IS VISITED NIGHTLY BY HER HUSBAND. IN THREE WEEKS THEY MOVED TO THE HUSBAND'S HOUSE. SONS LIVE NEAR PARENTS LAND AND DAUGHTERS LEAVE THEIR HOMES. DIVORCE IS NOT COMMON.
THE COMMON DOMESTIC UNIT IS FATHER MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN. SOME FAMILIES HAVE WIDOWED PARENTS. OBEDIENCE OF CHILDREN IS INSTILLED AT A VERY EARLY AGE.
THEY PRACTICE A MIX OF CATHOLICISM , PROTESTANT, NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ANCESTOR WORSHIP. THEY HAVE MANY GODS REPRESENTING THE NATURAL FEATURES - MOUNTAINS, SPRINGS. PLANETS ARE CONSIDERED GODS.. DECEASED PARENTS ARE AN ACTIVE PART IN THEIR LIVES. THEY HAVE A STRANGE WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH DECEASED RELATIVES. SHAMANS LEAD MAGICAL AND PUBLIC RITUALS. THEY HELP IN SPIRITUAL CLEANSING BY SCATTERING BEANS ON THE GROUND. THEY PICK THEM UP WHILE RECITING THE DAYS OF THE WEEK.
SOME OF THE FESTIVALS LASTED 7 DAYS AND THEY HAD PARADES, MUSIC , DANCING, AND MUCH DRINKING.
SHAMANS PERFORMED CEREMONIES. THERE WERE 3 DANCES WITH SOME MINOR RITUALS. IN THEIR TRADITIONAL RELIGION DEAD ANCESTORS PLAY A PROMINENT ROLE IN CURING THROUGH SHAMANIC INTERVENTION. SHAMANS ARE HIRED FOR SPIRITUAL CONSULTATION.
THESE INDIANS DO NOT CONCEIVE OF THE AFTER LIFE AS A HEAVEN OR HELL. THEY BELIEVE PEOPLE ARE ACTIVE IN THEIR ACTIVE LIFE. THIS WAS CALLED ANCESTOR WORSHIP. IT ALL CHANGED IN THE 1950'S WHEN CATHOLIC MISSIONS CAME HERE. THEY DRASTICALLY CHANGED THEIR LIVES.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
Thursday, April 12, 2012
BRIBRI, BORUCA, TERABA IN COSTA RICA
THERE ARE THREE GROUPS LOCATED IN COSTA RICA ON THE BRUNQUENA MOUNTAIN RANGE. ESTABLISHED IN 1945. THERE IS MUCH INTERMARRIAGE. SOME NON INDIANS LIVED ON THE RESERVATION. THE BORUCA LIVED ON RESERVED LAND AND POPULATION OF 6700. THE CABECAR HAD 8300 FOLKS. THEY ALL SPEAK CHIBCHAN LANGUAGE. THE BRIBRI AND CABECAR ARE MOSTLY BILINGUAL. IN THE 1980S THE BRUNKEN LANGUAGE WAS SPOKEN BY ELEVEN PEOPLE AND 40 UNDERSTOOD IT..
THE SPANISH ENTERED IN 1502 AND THEY ENTERED IN 1502, AND THEY HAD EXPEDITIONS IN 1519 TO 1560. MORE INFORMATION STEMS FROM CONQUISTADOR JUAN VASQUEZ DE CORONADO, WHO MET WITH OFFICIALS IN 1564. THESE AND OTHER COSTA RICANS WERE ORGANIZED INTO A CHIEFDOM'S. THE INDIANS BEGAN TO BE REASSIGNED TO COLONIAL SOCIAL UNITS, AS MISSIONS. THE TALAMANCA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGE MANAGED TO RETAIN TRAITS OF CHIEFDOMS. THE BORUCA WERE CONSIDERED PACIFIED IN 1608. THEY BUILT A VILLAGE BY 1629. IT WAS A MILE STOP. DURING 1600'S BORUCA WAS THE ONLY VILLAGE IN THE SOUTH. BY THE END OF THE CENTURY THE COMMUNITY HAD 12 HUTS. BY 1801 THEY HAD 250 PEOPLE. NON INDIAN SETTLEMENTS WERE PROHIBITED UNTIL THE 1882. IN MATTERS CONCERNING SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY THREATS, AND ESPECIALLY AND CROP FAILURE, THE BRIBRI AND CABECAR AND OTHER CLANS OBSERVED PERIODS OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE. THE HIGHEST RANKING CHIEF WAS THE KPA. IT COULD NOT BE LOOKED AT OR EVEN TOUCHED DIRECTLY. THEY HAD AN EXECUTIVE CHIEF WHO CONDUCTED WAR. THEIR LAST KING DIED IN 1910. IN THE EARLY 1990'S THE ABORIGINAL STYLE OF LIFE WAS DISAPPEARING. THEY CAN STILL FIND INDIVIDUALS. SOME FAMILIES HAVE MAINTAINED TRADITIONS.
THEY MARRY IN A CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE BRIBRI-CAHECUR FOLLOW NATIVE CUSTOMS. AND THE TWO SETS OF PARENTS DECIDE IF THE COUPLE IS ALRIGHT.
NUCLEAR FAMILIES ARE COMMON AS WELL AS BROTHER SISTER HOUSEHOLDS. SOME PEOPLE RELATED THROUGH THE FEMALE LINE AND ARE COMMON. OLDER ELDERS COME INTO FAMILY GROUPS IF THEY CANNOT SUPPORT THEMSELVES. THE BORUCA OFTEN PREFER MALES INSTEAD OF GIRL BABIES. OLDER GIRLS AND BOYS TAKE CARE OF THEIR YOUNGER SIBLINGS. THE KIDS ARE BAPTIZED WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT ABOUT 6 BY A PRIEST. THE BRIBRI TRADITION IS TO WELCOME CHILDREN. THE BORUCA ARE NOMINALLY CATHOLIC. THEY HAVE MASS AND TELL LEGENDS AND AND MYTHS OF THINGS OF THE PAST. SOME FOLKS BELONG BAHAI FAITH. THEY HAVE REVITALIZED A NEW BELIEF SYSTEM - A SINGLE CREATOR WHO INCLUDES WHO RELATED THROUGH PEOPLE WHO RELATE THROUGH SHAMANS. SPIRITUAL BEINGS ARE RELATED TO NATURE AND ARE IMPORTANT IN THIS NEW TRADITION.
THE 3 GROUPS CELEBRATE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS WITH ACTIVITIES BY THE SCHOOLS . PUBLIC CEREMONIES SUCH AS THOSE CELEBRATING PATRON SAINTS AND CHRISTMAS AND MORE EVENTS. THEY PLAY A GAME WITH A A CARVED HORSE HEAD THAT SYMBOLIZES SPANISH AND IT IS SYMBOLICALLY BURNED. DRUMS AND FLUTES ARE PLAYED. JOKES ARE TOLD THERE IS MERRY MAKING. AT THE END OF DECEMBER DIA DE LOS DIABLITOS IS CELEBRATED. PEOPLE CARVE MASKS OF WOOD AND THEIR LANGUAGE IS DISGUISED. A DRUM AND FLUTE IS PLAYED A CONQUISTADOR CARRIED A CARVED BULL FACE. SOME PEOPLE STEAL LITTLE THINGS FROM PEOPLE'S HOUSES. THE STOLEN THINGS ARE GIVEN TO PLAYERS ON THE LAST DAY. THE BULL KILLS THE DEVIL. WOMEN, REPRESENTED BY EN ARE KILLED. THE BULL HIDES AND THE DEAD ARE REVIVED. THE BULL IS IS DRAGGED TO THE CENTER AND BURNED. THE THREE GROUPS PRACTICE A CHICHADA OR A DRINKING OCCASION OF BEER FROM CORN. THEY DANCE AND TELL STORIES.
THE BORUCA HAVE ASSISTANTS OR RELIGIOUS PRACTITIONERS FOR THEIR PRIESTS. THEY TEACH THE FAITH AND LEAD PRAYERS. THESE CULTURES HAVE VERY ELABORATE CEREMONIES AND PATTERNS FOR DEALING WITH DISEASE, BIRTH AND DEATH.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
THE SPANISH ENTERED IN 1502 AND THEY ENTERED IN 1502, AND THEY HAD EXPEDITIONS IN 1519 TO 1560. MORE INFORMATION STEMS FROM CONQUISTADOR JUAN VASQUEZ DE CORONADO, WHO MET WITH OFFICIALS IN 1564. THESE AND OTHER COSTA RICANS WERE ORGANIZED INTO A CHIEFDOM'S. THE INDIANS BEGAN TO BE REASSIGNED TO COLONIAL SOCIAL UNITS, AS MISSIONS. THE TALAMANCA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGE MANAGED TO RETAIN TRAITS OF CHIEFDOMS. THE BORUCA WERE CONSIDERED PACIFIED IN 1608. THEY BUILT A VILLAGE BY 1629. IT WAS A MILE STOP. DURING 1600'S BORUCA WAS THE ONLY VILLAGE IN THE SOUTH. BY THE END OF THE CENTURY THE COMMUNITY HAD 12 HUTS. BY 1801 THEY HAD 250 PEOPLE. NON INDIAN SETTLEMENTS WERE PROHIBITED UNTIL THE 1882. IN MATTERS CONCERNING SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY THREATS, AND ESPECIALLY AND CROP FAILURE, THE BRIBRI AND CABECAR AND OTHER CLANS OBSERVED PERIODS OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE. THE HIGHEST RANKING CHIEF WAS THE KPA. IT COULD NOT BE LOOKED AT OR EVEN TOUCHED DIRECTLY. THEY HAD AN EXECUTIVE CHIEF WHO CONDUCTED WAR. THEIR LAST KING DIED IN 1910. IN THE EARLY 1990'S THE ABORIGINAL STYLE OF LIFE WAS DISAPPEARING. THEY CAN STILL FIND INDIVIDUALS. SOME FAMILIES HAVE MAINTAINED TRADITIONS.
THEY MARRY IN A CATHOLIC CHURCH. THE BRIBRI-CAHECUR FOLLOW NATIVE CUSTOMS. AND THE TWO SETS OF PARENTS DECIDE IF THE COUPLE IS ALRIGHT.
NUCLEAR FAMILIES ARE COMMON AS WELL AS BROTHER SISTER HOUSEHOLDS. SOME PEOPLE RELATED THROUGH THE FEMALE LINE AND ARE COMMON. OLDER ELDERS COME INTO FAMILY GROUPS IF THEY CANNOT SUPPORT THEMSELVES. THE BORUCA OFTEN PREFER MALES INSTEAD OF GIRL BABIES. OLDER GIRLS AND BOYS TAKE CARE OF THEIR YOUNGER SIBLINGS. THE KIDS ARE BAPTIZED WHEN THEY ARE ABOUT ABOUT 6 BY A PRIEST. THE BRIBRI TRADITION IS TO WELCOME CHILDREN. THE BORUCA ARE NOMINALLY CATHOLIC. THEY HAVE MASS AND TELL LEGENDS AND AND MYTHS OF THINGS OF THE PAST. SOME FOLKS BELONG BAHAI FAITH. THEY HAVE REVITALIZED A NEW BELIEF SYSTEM - A SINGLE CREATOR WHO INCLUDES WHO RELATED THROUGH PEOPLE WHO RELATE THROUGH SHAMANS. SPIRITUAL BEINGS ARE RELATED TO NATURE AND ARE IMPORTANT IN THIS NEW TRADITION.
THE 3 GROUPS CELEBRATE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS WITH ACTIVITIES BY THE SCHOOLS . PUBLIC CEREMONIES SUCH AS THOSE CELEBRATING PATRON SAINTS AND CHRISTMAS AND MORE EVENTS. THEY PLAY A GAME WITH A A CARVED HORSE HEAD THAT SYMBOLIZES SPANISH AND IT IS SYMBOLICALLY BURNED. DRUMS AND FLUTES ARE PLAYED. JOKES ARE TOLD THERE IS MERRY MAKING. AT THE END OF DECEMBER DIA DE LOS DIABLITOS IS CELEBRATED. PEOPLE CARVE MASKS OF WOOD AND THEIR LANGUAGE IS DISGUISED. A DRUM AND FLUTE IS PLAYED A CONQUISTADOR CARRIED A CARVED BULL FACE. SOME PEOPLE STEAL LITTLE THINGS FROM PEOPLE'S HOUSES. THE STOLEN THINGS ARE GIVEN TO PLAYERS ON THE LAST DAY. THE BULL KILLS THE DEVIL. WOMEN, REPRESENTED BY EN ARE KILLED. THE BULL HIDES AND THE DEAD ARE REVIVED. THE BULL IS IS DRAGGED TO THE CENTER AND BURNED. THE THREE GROUPS PRACTICE A CHICHADA OR A DRINKING OCCASION OF BEER FROM CORN. THEY DANCE AND TELL STORIES.
THE BORUCA HAVE ASSISTANTS OR RELIGIOUS PRACTITIONERS FOR THEIR PRIESTS. THEY TEACH THE FAITH AND LEAD PRAYERS. THESE CULTURES HAVE VERY ELABORATE CEREMONIES AND PATTERNS FOR DEALING WITH DISEASE, BIRTH AND DEATH.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
ACATECO INDIAANS IN CENTRAL AMERICA
THE ACATECO HAVE A POPULATION OF 20,000 AND ARE MAYAN SPEAKERS AND THEY LIVE IN SAN RAFAEL AND SAN MIGUEL. AS OF 1998 THERE WERE 58,000 SPEAKERS OF ANATEK. THIS LANGUAGE IS CLOSE TO TO MAYAN. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THEY SPLIT INTO SEVERAL GROUPS OF 500 TO 1500 YEARS AGO. THIS LANGUAGE IS CLOSE TO MAYAN. ALQUAKET WAS A DIALECT OF THE QANJOBAL LANGUAGE UNTIL 1970'S.
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NATIVE LANGUAGES.ORG
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
ARHUACO IN COLUMBIA
THE ARHUACO WISH TO PROTECT THEIR SACRED IN COLUMBIA. IF THEY DO SO, THEY WILL KEEP THEIR ENTIRE PLANET IN BALANCE. THESE FOLKS WERE DESCENDANTS OF AN ANCIENT SOUTH AMERICAN TRIBE CALLED TAYRONA WHO NUMBER 45,000 TODAY. FOUR CENTURIES AQGO THEY AGE FLED DEATH AND PESTILENCE TO SEE A MOUNTAIN PARADICE. TO THIS DAY THEY REMAIN TRUE TO THEIR ANCIENT LAWS AND SPIRITUAL DICTATES OF THEIR CREATOR. THEIR INITIATION CAN TAKE UP TO 18 YEARS. THEY BELIEVE IN THEIR WORK ALONE , MAINTAINS THE COSMIC BALANCE. THEY HAVE A NINE LAYERED UNIVERSE WHERE THEY GATHER, , 9 MONTHS A CHILD TAKES TO DEVELOP BEFORE BIRTH, AND EACH REALM REFLECTS AND INFORMS THE OTHER.
THE ARHUACO TEND PLANTS ON THEIR TERRAIN OF A PREVIOUS INDIAN CITY IN THE SIERRA NEVADA FOREST. THEY WERE FREIGHTENED BY 6 MONTHS OF VIOLENCE SO THEY STAYED AWAY. THEIR CULTURE IS CENTERED AROUND LEADERSHIP. THEIR CULTURE IS CENETRED BY LEADERSHIP OF PRIESTS. THE SPANISH ATTACKED THEM FOUR CENTURIES AGO AND TODAY THEY AGAIN ARE BEING THREATENED.
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THE ARHUACO TEND PLANTS ON THEIR TERRAIN OF A PREVIOUS INDIAN CITY IN THE SIERRA NEVADA FOREST. THEY WERE FREIGHTENED BY 6 MONTHS OF VIOLENCE SO THEY STAYED AWAY. THEIR CULTURE IS CENTERED AROUND LEADERSHIP. THEIR CULTURE IS CENETRED BY LEADERSHIP OF PRIESTS. THE SPANISH ATTACKED THEM FOUR CENTURIES AGO AND TODAY THEY AGAIN ARE BEING THREATENED.
NATIVE-LANGUAGES.COM
YEUANA TRIBE IN VENEZUALA
ABOUT 3000 YEKUANA LIVE IN THE GUANA HIGHLANDS. THEIR TERRITORY HAS FIVE RIVERS AND IS MOSTLY A TROPICAL FOREST. THEIR 3 SUBGROUPS CAN BE DISTINGUISHED BY THEIR LOCATIONS AND DIALECTS OF THE CARIBBEAN LANGUAGE.
BY 1750 THEY THEY MET THEY MET THE SPANIARDS AND ARE IN AN INACCESSIBLE TERRITORY. THEY PREFER TO BUILD SETTLEMENTS ALONG RIVERS IN LOWER. THEY REBELLED AGAINST EXPLOITATIONS BY CHRISTIAN WHITES AND ONLY HAD SPORADIC TRADE WITH THEM. THEY BUILD A LARGE COMMUNAL ROUND HOUSE FOR ALL RESIDENTS. THEY HAVE WORKSHEETS WITH ROOFS OF PALM THATCH WHERE VISITORS CAN WATCH HOW THEY MAKE THEIR CRAFTS. THE INTERIOR IS OF THE COMMUNAL HOUSE HAS A CENTER ROOM FOR CEREMONIAL AND RITUAL OCCASIONS. MEN TALK, EAT, AND WORK HERE AND SHAMANS SIT ON THE BENCHES. WOMEN DON'T ENTER IT.
THE YEKUANA BUILD THE EXTERIOR WITH WATTLE AND DAUB. BARK PANELS SEPARATE AN EXTENDED FAMILY.
THEIR SUBSISTENCE IS BASED ON SHIFTING AGRICULTURE. MANIOC IS THE STAPLE CROP, TARO, YAMS, MAIZE, BANANAS, SQUASH, SWEET POTATOES, PEPPERS, , SUGAR CANE, PINEAPPLES, PAPAYAS AND TOBACCO. THEY ALSO GROW COTTON AND CALABASH. TREES. HUNTING IS A COMMUNAL DRIVE AND IS IMPORTANT. THEY HUNT TAPIR , DEER, PECCARIES, ANTEATERS, ALLIGATORS, ARMADILLOS, AND TURTLES. FISHING IS LESS SIGNIFICANT. MEN AND WOMEN FISH. FOOD GATHERING OF NATIVE PLANTS IS OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE.
IN EARLY TIMES THESE FOLKS WORE LOIN CLOTHES. WOMEN WEAR SMALL APRONS WITH GLASS BEADS. MEN INSERT ARROW REEDS WITH FEATHERS IN THEIR EAR LOBES. THEY COULD THEIR HAIR HAIR SHORT AND PAINT THEIR BODIES BLUE. THEY ALSO HUNT AND WEAVE BASKETRY AND MAKE HAMMOCKS AND DUGOUT CANOES, AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS . WOMEN SPIN COTTON, HARVEST, GARDEN, BEADED GLASS APRONS. THEY SPEND TIME IN PROCESSING FOOD. OLD WOMEN MAY BE SEEN MAKING POTTERY. THEIR SOCIETY IS BASED ON VILLAGES OF EXTENDED FAMILY.
THEIR SOCIETY IS SIMILAR TO HAWAIIANS AND IROQUOIS SYSTEMS. MARRIAGE BETWEEN CROSS COUSINS IS PREFERRED. BOTH SEXES WENT THROUGH INITIATION CEREMONIES. THE YIKUANA COSMOLOGY IS COMPLEX . THEY HAVE 3 LEVELS OF HEAVEN , EARTH, AND THE UNDERWORLD. EACH STRATUM REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT COSMOLOGICAL STATION. THE UPPER MOST REGION IS INHABITED BY WANADI, THEIR SUPREME BEING IS THE SON OF THE SUN.
SHAMANS RECEIVED THEIR CURING ITEMS FROM HIM AND CONFRONTILLNESSES CAUSED BY SPIRIT INTRUSION . THEY CHANT, RATTLE AND SMOKE TOBACCO, MASSAGE AND BLOW AND SUCK ILLNESS OUT OF THE PATIENT. THEIR DEAD ARE BURIED IN A CANOE AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE. IF THEY DIE FROM AN EPIDEMIC THEY ARE BURIED INSIDE A HOUSE THAT IS BURNED. IN RECENT TIMES THEIR CULTURE IS BEING INFLUENCED BY THE MISSIONARIES.
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BY 1750 THEY THEY MET THEY MET THE SPANIARDS AND ARE IN AN INACCESSIBLE TERRITORY. THEY PREFER TO BUILD SETTLEMENTS ALONG RIVERS IN LOWER. THEY REBELLED AGAINST EXPLOITATIONS BY CHRISTIAN WHITES AND ONLY HAD SPORADIC TRADE WITH THEM. THEY BUILD A LARGE COMMUNAL ROUND HOUSE FOR ALL RESIDENTS. THEY HAVE WORKSHEETS WITH ROOFS OF PALM THATCH WHERE VISITORS CAN WATCH HOW THEY MAKE THEIR CRAFTS. THE INTERIOR IS OF THE COMMUNAL HOUSE HAS A CENTER ROOM FOR CEREMONIAL AND RITUAL OCCASIONS. MEN TALK, EAT, AND WORK HERE AND SHAMANS SIT ON THE BENCHES. WOMEN DON'T ENTER IT.
THE YEKUANA BUILD THE EXTERIOR WITH WATTLE AND DAUB. BARK PANELS SEPARATE AN EXTENDED FAMILY.
THEIR SUBSISTENCE IS BASED ON SHIFTING AGRICULTURE. MANIOC IS THE STAPLE CROP, TARO, YAMS, MAIZE, BANANAS, SQUASH, SWEET POTATOES, PEPPERS, , SUGAR CANE, PINEAPPLES, PAPAYAS AND TOBACCO. THEY ALSO GROW COTTON AND CALABASH. TREES. HUNTING IS A COMMUNAL DRIVE AND IS IMPORTANT. THEY HUNT TAPIR , DEER, PECCARIES, ANTEATERS, ALLIGATORS, ARMADILLOS, AND TURTLES. FISHING IS LESS SIGNIFICANT. MEN AND WOMEN FISH. FOOD GATHERING OF NATIVE PLANTS IS OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE.
IN EARLY TIMES THESE FOLKS WORE LOIN CLOTHES. WOMEN WEAR SMALL APRONS WITH GLASS BEADS. MEN INSERT ARROW REEDS WITH FEATHERS IN THEIR EAR LOBES. THEY COULD THEIR HAIR HAIR SHORT AND PAINT THEIR BODIES BLUE. THEY ALSO HUNT AND WEAVE BASKETRY AND MAKE HAMMOCKS AND DUGOUT CANOES, AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS . WOMEN SPIN COTTON, HARVEST, GARDEN, BEADED GLASS APRONS. THEY SPEND TIME IN PROCESSING FOOD. OLD WOMEN MAY BE SEEN MAKING POTTERY. THEIR SOCIETY IS BASED ON VILLAGES OF EXTENDED FAMILY.
THEIR SOCIETY IS SIMILAR TO HAWAIIANS AND IROQUOIS SYSTEMS. MARRIAGE BETWEEN CROSS COUSINS IS PREFERRED. BOTH SEXES WENT THROUGH INITIATION CEREMONIES. THE YIKUANA COSMOLOGY IS COMPLEX . THEY HAVE 3 LEVELS OF HEAVEN , EARTH, AND THE UNDERWORLD. EACH STRATUM REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT COSMOLOGICAL STATION. THE UPPER MOST REGION IS INHABITED BY WANADI, THEIR SUPREME BEING IS THE SON OF THE SUN.
SHAMANS RECEIVED THEIR CURING ITEMS FROM HIM AND CONFRONTILLNESSES CAUSED BY SPIRIT INTRUSION . THEY CHANT, RATTLE AND SMOKE TOBACCO, MASSAGE AND BLOW AND SUCK ILLNESS OUT OF THE PATIENT. THEIR DEAD ARE BURIED IN A CANOE AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE. IF THEY DIE FROM AN EPIDEMIC THEY ARE BURIED INSIDE A HOUSE THAT IS BURNED. IN RECENT TIMES THEIR CULTURE IS BEING INFLUENCED BY THE MISSIONARIES.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
Monday, April 9, 2012
GUAJURO INDIANS IN COLUMBIA
THE GUARJARO LIVE IN COLUMBIA AND VENEZUELA. THEIR NAME IS SPANISH. THEY HAVE 16,000 SQ KM OF AREAS ON A PENNISULA. THEY HAVE ABOUT 1/2 OF THE POPULATION LIVES ON THE VENEZUELAN SIDE. THE REGION HAS BRUSH SAVANNAH AND DESERT ZONES. NO ONE HAS TAKEN A CENSUS BUT THEY HAVE ABOUT @100,000 FOLKS. THE SPANIARDS REACHED THEIR COAST OF THEIR LAND IN 1500 A.D. THERE WERE SEVERAL GROUPS COEXISTING IN GUAJUROLAND.
THEIR HOUSES WERE SEPARATED BY 10 M. THEY HAD NUCLEAR FAMILIES . THEY BUILT A SMALL HOUSE WHERE HAMMOCKS ARE HUNG AT NIGHT AND A KITCHEN OF OF WALLS AND CACTUSES. THEY ARE MICHIPALA AND HAVE SEVERAL 100 PEOPLE. THEY LIVE SEVERAL KM FROM EACH OTHER. THEY ENTERTAIN THESE VISITORS ON THEIR PORCHES THAT ARE COVERED.
IN THE PAST THE GUAJURO WAS A HUNTING, GATHERING, AND FISHING COMMUNITY AND GREW SOME CROPS. TODAY IT IS A STRONG HIERARCHICAL COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE LIVESTOCK FROM THE SPANISH IN 16TH CENTURY. THEY HAVE CATTLE AND HORSES. THE MISSIONARIES SPREAD THIS TYPE OF LIFE. BLACK SLAVES BY FORCE SETTLED AMONG THE GUAJURO. THEY STILL KEEP CATTLE, SHEEP, AND GOATS AS A SOURCE OF SOURCE OF OF NOURISHMENT. HUNTING, FARMING, AND FISHING HAVE BECOME MARGINAL FOR WAGE LABOR.THEIR LIVESTOCK GO TO MARKET AND ARE A PRESTIGE ITEM. MULES AND HORSES ARE VALUED. THEY HAVE PRACTICALLY DISAPPEARED NOW. THE WEALTHY GUAJURO BUY PICKUPS. IN THE LATE 1980'S 8 OF 10 SHAMANS WERE WOMEN.
THE GUAJURO ARE INCLINED TO RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. CHRISTIAN RELIGION HAS MADE LITTLE IMPACT ON THEM. THEIR CONCEPT OF THE WORLD IS DUALISTIC. SHAMANS STILL CONTINUE TO CORROBORATE, THEY USE TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND BELIEFS, BY CURING SICKNESS OR DISEASE OR FORETELLING THE SITE OF A NEW HOUSE. PREVIOUSLY COLLECTIVE HORTICULTURE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A CEREMONY THAT HAS DISAPPEARED. IT IS A GOAT DANCE WITH COURSES OF HORSE MEAT. TODAY A COUPLE OF DANCES TO THE BEAT OF A DRUM. IT IS ORGANIZED TO CELEBRATE AN ECONOMIC SUCCESS, THE VISIT OF AN IMPORTANT PERSON, THE END OF SECLUSION OF SOMEONE AND OTHER EVENTS. IT IS PRESCRIBED BY A SHAMAN AT THE END OF A CURE.
SONGS CAN LAST FOR 8 HOURS AND ARE A TRUE TEST OF ENDURANCE. THEY HAVE TWO TYPES OF ENDURANCE. THEY HAVE TWO TWO TYPES OF SICKNESS. BEYOND A CERTAIN THRESHOLD OF PAIN THE DOMESTIC TREATMENTS BY PLANTS ARE USED. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT HEALED THEN IT'S CAUSE IS BELIEVED TO BE SUPERNATURAL. SHAMANS ARE USED TO HEAL PEOPLE. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK THEY GO TO A DOCTOR.
ACCORDING TO THIS TRIBE , WHEN PEOPLE DIE THEY CROSS THE MILKY WAY AND GO TO A PENISULA OF THE DEAD. THUS THEY ARE LOST. THEN AFTER MANY YEARS THEY COME BACK TO EARTH AS RAIN, ASSURING REJUVENATION OF LIFE AND VEGETATION.
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THEIR HOUSES WERE SEPARATED BY 10 M. THEY HAD NUCLEAR FAMILIES . THEY BUILT A SMALL HOUSE WHERE HAMMOCKS ARE HUNG AT NIGHT AND A KITCHEN OF OF WALLS AND CACTUSES. THEY ARE MICHIPALA AND HAVE SEVERAL 100 PEOPLE. THEY LIVE SEVERAL KM FROM EACH OTHER. THEY ENTERTAIN THESE VISITORS ON THEIR PORCHES THAT ARE COVERED.
IN THE PAST THE GUAJURO WAS A HUNTING, GATHERING, AND FISHING COMMUNITY AND GREW SOME CROPS. TODAY IT IS A STRONG HIERARCHICAL COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE LIVESTOCK FROM THE SPANISH IN 16TH CENTURY. THEY HAVE CATTLE AND HORSES. THE MISSIONARIES SPREAD THIS TYPE OF LIFE. BLACK SLAVES BY FORCE SETTLED AMONG THE GUAJURO. THEY STILL KEEP CATTLE, SHEEP, AND GOATS AS A SOURCE OF SOURCE OF OF NOURISHMENT. HUNTING, FARMING, AND FISHING HAVE BECOME MARGINAL FOR WAGE LABOR.THEIR LIVESTOCK GO TO MARKET AND ARE A PRESTIGE ITEM. MULES AND HORSES ARE VALUED. THEY HAVE PRACTICALLY DISAPPEARED NOW. THE WEALTHY GUAJURO BUY PICKUPS. IN THE LATE 1980'S 8 OF 10 SHAMANS WERE WOMEN.
THE GUAJURO ARE INCLINED TO RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. CHRISTIAN RELIGION HAS MADE LITTLE IMPACT ON THEM. THEIR CONCEPT OF THE WORLD IS DUALISTIC. SHAMANS STILL CONTINUE TO CORROBORATE, THEY USE TRADITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS AND BELIEFS, BY CURING SICKNESS OR DISEASE OR FORETELLING THE SITE OF A NEW HOUSE. PREVIOUSLY COLLECTIVE HORTICULTURE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A CEREMONY THAT HAS DISAPPEARED. IT IS A GOAT DANCE WITH COURSES OF HORSE MEAT. TODAY A COUPLE OF DANCES TO THE BEAT OF A DRUM. IT IS ORGANIZED TO CELEBRATE AN ECONOMIC SUCCESS, THE VISIT OF AN IMPORTANT PERSON, THE END OF SECLUSION OF SOMEONE AND OTHER EVENTS. IT IS PRESCRIBED BY A SHAMAN AT THE END OF A CURE.
SONGS CAN LAST FOR 8 HOURS AND ARE A TRUE TEST OF ENDURANCE. THEY HAVE TWO TYPES OF ENDURANCE. THEY HAVE TWO TWO TYPES OF SICKNESS. BEYOND A CERTAIN THRESHOLD OF PAIN THE DOMESTIC TREATMENTS BY PLANTS ARE USED. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT HEALED THEN IT'S CAUSE IS BELIEVED TO BE SUPERNATURAL. SHAMANS ARE USED TO HEAL PEOPLE. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK THEY GO TO A DOCTOR.
ACCORDING TO THIS TRIBE , WHEN PEOPLE DIE THEY CROSS THE MILKY WAY AND GO TO A PENISULA OF THE DEAD. THUS THEY ARE LOST. THEN AFTER MANY YEARS THEY COME BACK TO EARTH AS RAIN, ASSURING REJUVENATION OF LIFE AND VEGETATION.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
Friday, April 6, 2012
WAIWAI INDIANS IN GUYANA
WAIWAI MEANS TAPIOCA. THEY MAKE AND EAT MUCH TAPIOCA. THEY INTERMARRY WITH OTHER GROUPS. THEY LIVE ALONG A RIVER. MISSIONARIERIES MET THEM IN THE 1950'S. THEY ASSIMILATED MANY SMALL TRIBES WHO WERE IN THEIR VILLAGES.
THEY LIVE IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE TROPICAL FORESTS OF GUYANA. THEY EXPANDED TRADE AND MARRIAGE CONTACTS. WHEN THE MISSIONARIES SETTLED HERE IN 1949 THE WAIWAI SETTLED HERE NEAR THE MISSION. IN THE 1970'S MOST MEMBERS RETURNED TO BRAZIL. IN 1989 THERE WAS ONE VILLAGE IN THE GUYANA AND THREE IN BRAZIL. THEY HAD A POPULATION OF ABOUT 1200 IN THE 50'S AND BY 1989 ABOUT 1200 FOLKS BECAUSE THEY INCLUDED SMALLER TRIBES. THEY SPEAK CARIB.
BY 1837 THEY HAD EXCHANGED BETWEEN TRIBES. THEY HEARD THE RUMOR THAT IF THEY DID NOT CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY THEY WOULD BE DESTROYED BY A WORLDWIDE FIRE. IN THE 1970'S THE NEW INDEPENDENT GUYANESE GOVERNMENT WAS HOSTILE IN THE 1970'S THE NEW INDEPENDENT GUYANESE GOVERNMENT WAS HOSTILE TO U S MISSIONARIES. MOST MOVED BACK TO FORMER SITS IN BRAZIL. THEIR VILLAGES HAD 15 TO 50 PEOPLE AND WERE IN A SINGLE HOUSE CALLED A MUMO. SETTLEMENTS WERE DISPERSED OVER A LARGE AREA EVERY 5 TO 7 YEARS WHEN THE HOUSE BECAME OLD OR THE RESOURCES WERE EXHAUSTED. THEIR MULTIFAMILY SETTLEMENTS WERE REPLACED WITH NUCLEAR FAMILY HOUSES. THEY TRAVELED FURTHER TO NEW GARDENS OR HUNTING GROUNDS. THEIR VILLAGES ARE OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
IN OLD TIMES THEIR SUBSISTENCE WAS BASED ON HUNTING, FISHING, GATHERING AND HORTICULTURE. THEIR CYCLE ALTERNATES BETWEEN DRY DRY AND RAINY SEASONS. SOMETIMES THEY HAD PLENTY OF FOOD AND OTHER TIMES THEY SCARCITY.. THEY ALSO GROW SMALLL GARDENS AND USE THEM FOR ONLY THREE YEARS. THE MAIN CROP IS MANIOC, A POISONOUS TUBER THAT IS PROCESSED TO MAKE BEAD , FARINA, AND TAPIOCA. THEY GROW MANY FRUITS AND OTHER TUBERS AND COTTON. THE FOREST PROVIDES PALM FRUITS AND NUTS AND OTHER MATERIALS. THEY HUNT WITH BOWS AND AND ARROWS MANY SMALL TO MEDIUM ANIMALS AND FISH. CANOES ARE SOLD TO COLONISTS.
THEY STILL MAKE MOST OF THEIR TOOLS. FOR TWO CENTURIES THE WAIWAI HAVE TAKEN PART IN A VAST INTERTRIBAL NETWORK THAT STRETCHES FROM GUYANA TO NORTHERN BRAZIL. THE WAIWAI TRAIN HUNTING DOGS AND PARROTS AND TRADE THEM FOR FLASHLIGHTS, MOSQUITO NETS AND FISHHOOKS. MEN PROVIDE MEAT AND WAND WEAVE BASKETS. WOMEN DO MOST COOKING, GARDENING, AND RAISE CHILDREN AND PREPARE FOOD. THE VILLAGE BELONGS TO THE CHIEF. GARDENS BELONG TO PEOPLE WHO HELP WITH THEM.
THEY BELIEVE THE UNIVERSE IS SAID TO HAVE 5 TIERS - AN UNDER WORLD, THE EARTH, AND THREE HEAVENS. THEY HAVE MANY MYTHS PRACTICES THAT RECOUNT THE ORIGINAL PRACTICES AND NATURAL PRACTICES. THEY HAVE SOME GOOD AND EVIL SPIRITA. THE MISSIONARIES PUT SHAME ON THEM.
THEIR SHAMANS HELPED AS TEACHERS TO SUMMON GAME AND USE CURING RITUALS TO HEAL. SOME PEOPLE DISREGARD THE CHRISTIANITY OF BELIEFS. TRANSITIONS WERE MAKED BY SECLUSION AND RITUALS. THEY HAVE SHODEWIKA OR INTER VILLAGE DANCES. THEY COMBINE DANCING AND FEASTING WITH CHRISTIAN FEATURES.
THEY MAKE BASKETS, BEADWORK, FEATHERWORK, AND BODY ORNAMENTATION. BEFORE THE MISSIONS THE SHAMANS CURED ILLNESS THROUGH CONTACT WITH SPIRITS BY USING TOBACCO SMOKE, AND SPIRIT STONES. THEY DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENSIVE PLANT LORE. THEY USE WESTERN MEDICINES WHEN INTRODUCED BY MISSIONARIES. THEY HAVE TRAINED HEALTH ATTENDANTS.
DEATH IS EXPLAINED AS SOUL LOSS CAUSED BY SPIRITS. THEIR PETS, POSSESSIONS AND HOUSE ARE DESTROYED BY THEIR RELATIVES. AT DEATH A PERSON TAKES ON SOME ANIMAL FORMS THAT CAN BECOME MENACING SPIRITS.
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THEY LIVE IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE TROPICAL FORESTS OF GUYANA. THEY EXPANDED TRADE AND MARRIAGE CONTACTS. WHEN THE MISSIONARIES SETTLED HERE IN 1949 THE WAIWAI SETTLED HERE NEAR THE MISSION. IN THE 1970'S MOST MEMBERS RETURNED TO BRAZIL. IN 1989 THERE WAS ONE VILLAGE IN THE GUYANA AND THREE IN BRAZIL. THEY HAD A POPULATION OF ABOUT 1200 IN THE 50'S AND BY 1989 ABOUT 1200 FOLKS BECAUSE THEY INCLUDED SMALLER TRIBES. THEY SPEAK CARIB.
BY 1837 THEY HAD EXCHANGED BETWEEN TRIBES. THEY HEARD THE RUMOR THAT IF THEY DID NOT CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY THEY WOULD BE DESTROYED BY A WORLDWIDE FIRE. IN THE 1970'S THE NEW INDEPENDENT GUYANESE GOVERNMENT WAS HOSTILE IN THE 1970'S THE NEW INDEPENDENT GUYANESE GOVERNMENT WAS HOSTILE TO U S MISSIONARIES. MOST MOVED BACK TO FORMER SITS IN BRAZIL. THEIR VILLAGES HAD 15 TO 50 PEOPLE AND WERE IN A SINGLE HOUSE CALLED A MUMO. SETTLEMENTS WERE DISPERSED OVER A LARGE AREA EVERY 5 TO 7 YEARS WHEN THE HOUSE BECAME OLD OR THE RESOURCES WERE EXHAUSTED. THEIR MULTIFAMILY SETTLEMENTS WERE REPLACED WITH NUCLEAR FAMILY HOUSES. THEY TRAVELED FURTHER TO NEW GARDENS OR HUNTING GROUNDS. THEIR VILLAGES ARE OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
IN OLD TIMES THEIR SUBSISTENCE WAS BASED ON HUNTING, FISHING, GATHERING AND HORTICULTURE. THEIR CYCLE ALTERNATES BETWEEN DRY DRY AND RAINY SEASONS. SOMETIMES THEY HAD PLENTY OF FOOD AND OTHER TIMES THEY SCARCITY.. THEY ALSO GROW SMALLL GARDENS AND USE THEM FOR ONLY THREE YEARS. THE MAIN CROP IS MANIOC, A POISONOUS TUBER THAT IS PROCESSED TO MAKE BEAD , FARINA, AND TAPIOCA. THEY GROW MANY FRUITS AND OTHER TUBERS AND COTTON. THE FOREST PROVIDES PALM FRUITS AND NUTS AND OTHER MATERIALS. THEY HUNT WITH BOWS AND AND ARROWS MANY SMALL TO MEDIUM ANIMALS AND FISH. CANOES ARE SOLD TO COLONISTS.
THEY STILL MAKE MOST OF THEIR TOOLS. FOR TWO CENTURIES THE WAIWAI HAVE TAKEN PART IN A VAST INTERTRIBAL NETWORK THAT STRETCHES FROM GUYANA TO NORTHERN BRAZIL. THE WAIWAI TRAIN HUNTING DOGS AND PARROTS AND TRADE THEM FOR FLASHLIGHTS, MOSQUITO NETS AND FISHHOOKS. MEN PROVIDE MEAT AND WAND WEAVE BASKETS. WOMEN DO MOST COOKING, GARDENING, AND RAISE CHILDREN AND PREPARE FOOD. THE VILLAGE BELONGS TO THE CHIEF. GARDENS BELONG TO PEOPLE WHO HELP WITH THEM.
THEY BELIEVE THE UNIVERSE IS SAID TO HAVE 5 TIERS - AN UNDER WORLD, THE EARTH, AND THREE HEAVENS. THEY HAVE MANY MYTHS PRACTICES THAT RECOUNT THE ORIGINAL PRACTICES AND NATURAL PRACTICES. THEY HAVE SOME GOOD AND EVIL SPIRITA. THE MISSIONARIES PUT SHAME ON THEM.
THEIR SHAMANS HELPED AS TEACHERS TO SUMMON GAME AND USE CURING RITUALS TO HEAL. SOME PEOPLE DISREGARD THE CHRISTIANITY OF BELIEFS. TRANSITIONS WERE MAKED BY SECLUSION AND RITUALS. THEY HAVE SHODEWIKA OR INTER VILLAGE DANCES. THEY COMBINE DANCING AND FEASTING WITH CHRISTIAN FEATURES.
THEY MAKE BASKETS, BEADWORK, FEATHERWORK, AND BODY ORNAMENTATION. BEFORE THE MISSIONS THE SHAMANS CURED ILLNESS THROUGH CONTACT WITH SPIRITS BY USING TOBACCO SMOKE, AND SPIRIT STONES. THEY DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENSIVE PLANT LORE. THEY USE WESTERN MEDICINES WHEN INTRODUCED BY MISSIONARIES. THEY HAVE TRAINED HEALTH ATTENDANTS.
DEATH IS EXPLAINED AS SOUL LOSS CAUSED BY SPIRITS. THEIR PETS, POSSESSIONS AND HOUSE ARE DESTROYED BY THEIR RELATIVES. AT DEATH A PERSON TAKES ON SOME ANIMAL FORMS THAT CAN BECOME MENACING SPIRITS.
EVERYCULTURE.COM
YUKPA INDIAN IN VENEZUALA
YUKPA MEANS TAME PEOPLE. THEY HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN SUBGROUPS. THEY LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLUMBIA AND VENEZUELA. THEIR POPULATION IS ABOUT 3400 FOLKS. FORTY NINE COMMUNITIES ARE IN THEIR REGION. THEY SPEAK A CARRIBEAN LANGUAGE.
SINCE PREHISTORIC TIMES THE YUKPA HAVE INHIBITED THE SIERRAS DE PERU. ANCESTORS OF THE YUKPA SIERRA FORMED A CARIB MIGRATION NORTH OF SOUTH AMERICA AND THIS DATE MAY HAVE BEEN ABOUT 4500 B.P. SOME RESEARCHERS BELIEVE THAT THE YUKPA DO NOT EXCEED. THEY REACHED HOMELAND BY 1000 B.P.
THEY HAVE FOLK TALES ABOUT HOW THEY ENCOUNTERED AND DEFEATED THE WANAPAS, THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THE MOUNTAINS. IN EARLY 1500'S WESTERNERS CONTACTED THEM. THEY WERE LOOKING FOR THE FABLED CITY OF GOOD. THE YUKPA MOVED INTO THE MOUNTAINS. MISSIONARY EFFORTS WERE NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL. BY THE 1900'S THEY WERE IN A CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH SETTLERS. UNDER THE MISSIONARY'S INFLUENCE THEY MOVED SETTLEMENTS CLOSER TO ROLLING HILLS AND MOUNTAINS.. IN THE LAST THIRTY OR FORTY YEARS THEY HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THEIR SETTLEMENT PATTERN. SOME HAVE MOVED TO THE HAMLETS OF 2 TO 3 HOUSES AND LARGER COMM UNITES OF 20 HOUSES. MANY MEN AND WOMEN WORK OUTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS ON LARGE DAIRY RANCHES. HERE THEY STAY FOR WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING TO THEIR FAMILIES. MANY MEN AND WOMEN WORK OUTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS.
THEY WERE AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE ATTENDANTS AND PLANTED MAIZE AND BEANS AND SQUASHES THAT ADDED TO THE EXISTING CROPS. THEY USE SLASH AND BURN AND BURN AND HAVE ADDED COFFEE FOR SALE IN LOCAL MARKETS. TODAY THEY RELY ON HUNTING, GATHERING AND FISHING. BECAUSE RESOURCES ARE DEPLETING. TRADITIONALLY THEY DID LITTLE TRADING.
BOTH MEN AND WOMEN DO AGRICULTURE MEN DO HEAVIER LABOR AND WOMEN DO AGRICULTURE. THE MEN DO HEAVIER LABOR AND WOMEN DO MORE FOOD PREPARATION. WOMEN WORK IN HARVESTING AND WEEDING. SOME WOMEN ARE DOMESTIC SERVANTS. THE MEN BECOME CATTLE HERDERS AND MILK FOR LOCAL DAIRY FARMERS.
THE PATTERN OF LAND TENURE IS BASED ON THE RESULT OF GENERATIONS OF PASSING OWNERSHIP. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN MAT OWN LAND. THEY HAVE ZONA INDIGENA THAT IS RESERVED FOR THE SOLE USE OF
INHABITANTS. MUCH OF THE REMAINDER OF THE SIERRA IS A NATIONAL PARK. ELDERS PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN CHILD RAISING AND STORY TELLING.
THEIR RELIGION WAS ANIMISTIC IN NATURE. SUPERNATURAL POWERS WERE IN PLANTS AND THE ANIMAL WORLD. THEIR CREATOR HELPED ANIMALS TO CREATE THE FIRST COUPLE. ALL YUKPA ARE FROM THIS COUPLE. MYTHIC ANIMALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FROM THIS FOR THEY THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS 2 FLAT DISKS THAT CIRCLED TWO SUNS.
THEY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE DWARFS IN THE UNDERGROUND, BY 1950 CATHOLICISM BEGAN TO INTEGRATE INTO THEIR RELIGION . BY 1990 ALMOST ALL YUKPA ARE OUTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS, BUT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RELIGION.
IN A FEW TRADITIONAL YUKPA SETTLEMENTS THERE ARE SHAMANS WHO GUIDE COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMPORTANT RITUALS. THEIR CEREMONIES MARK LIFE CHANGES - BIRTH, PUBERTY, MARRIAGE AND DEATH. DURING THEIR CEREMONIES THEY SING SPECIFIC SONGS AND LEAD DANCES. THEIR RELIGION IS IMPORTANT TO THEM. THEIR SONGS ARE IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX. THEY HAVE TATTOOS ON FACE AND ARM. THEY WEAVE SIMPLE DESIGNS INTO THEIR BASKETS.
SICKNESS IS EXPLAINED BY REFERENCE TO THE SUPERNATURAL. PEOPLE WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS ARE KNOWN AS TUANOS. THESE SHAMANS HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICINAL PLANT REMEDIES. AND THROUGH METAPHYSICAL CONTROLS SHAMANS CAN EFFECT REMEDIES.
AFTER DEATH THEY BURY PEOPLE IN A BURIAL HUT ALONG WITH SOME POSSESSIONS. THEY REACH THE AFTERWORLD AND ARE GUIDED BY KOPECHO, THE MYTHICAL FROG.
EVERYCLTURE.COM
SINCE PREHISTORIC TIMES THE YUKPA HAVE INHIBITED THE SIERRAS DE PERU. ANCESTORS OF THE YUKPA SIERRA FORMED A CARIB MIGRATION NORTH OF SOUTH AMERICA AND THIS DATE MAY HAVE BEEN ABOUT 4500 B.P. SOME RESEARCHERS BELIEVE THAT THE YUKPA DO NOT EXCEED. THEY REACHED HOMELAND BY 1000 B.P.
THEY HAVE FOLK TALES ABOUT HOW THEY ENCOUNTERED AND DEFEATED THE WANAPAS, THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THE MOUNTAINS. IN EARLY 1500'S WESTERNERS CONTACTED THEM. THEY WERE LOOKING FOR THE FABLED CITY OF GOOD. THE YUKPA MOVED INTO THE MOUNTAINS. MISSIONARY EFFORTS WERE NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL. BY THE 1900'S THEY WERE IN A CONTINUOUS CONTACT WITH SETTLERS. UNDER THE MISSIONARY'S INFLUENCE THEY MOVED SETTLEMENTS CLOSER TO ROLLING HILLS AND MOUNTAINS.. IN THE LAST THIRTY OR FORTY YEARS THEY HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THEIR SETTLEMENT PATTERN. SOME HAVE MOVED TO THE HAMLETS OF 2 TO 3 HOUSES AND LARGER COMM UNITES OF 20 HOUSES. MANY MEN AND WOMEN WORK OUTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS ON LARGE DAIRY RANCHES. HERE THEY STAY FOR WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING TO THEIR FAMILIES. MANY MEN AND WOMEN WORK OUTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS.
THEY WERE AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE ATTENDANTS AND PLANTED MAIZE AND BEANS AND SQUASHES THAT ADDED TO THE EXISTING CROPS. THEY USE SLASH AND BURN AND BURN AND HAVE ADDED COFFEE FOR SALE IN LOCAL MARKETS. TODAY THEY RELY ON HUNTING, GATHERING AND FISHING. BECAUSE RESOURCES ARE DEPLETING. TRADITIONALLY THEY DID LITTLE TRADING.
BOTH MEN AND WOMEN DO AGRICULTURE MEN DO HEAVIER LABOR AND WOMEN DO AGRICULTURE. THE MEN DO HEAVIER LABOR AND WOMEN DO MORE FOOD PREPARATION. WOMEN WORK IN HARVESTING AND WEEDING. SOME WOMEN ARE DOMESTIC SERVANTS. THE MEN BECOME CATTLE HERDERS AND MILK FOR LOCAL DAIRY FARMERS.
THE PATTERN OF LAND TENURE IS BASED ON THE RESULT OF GENERATIONS OF PASSING OWNERSHIP. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN MAT OWN LAND. THEY HAVE ZONA INDIGENA THAT IS RESERVED FOR THE SOLE USE OF
INHABITANTS. MUCH OF THE REMAINDER OF THE SIERRA IS A NATIONAL PARK. ELDERS PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN CHILD RAISING AND STORY TELLING.
THEIR RELIGION WAS ANIMISTIC IN NATURE. SUPERNATURAL POWERS WERE IN PLANTS AND THE ANIMAL WORLD. THEIR CREATOR HELPED ANIMALS TO CREATE THE FIRST COUPLE. ALL YUKPA ARE FROM THIS COUPLE. MYTHIC ANIMALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FROM THIS FOR THEY THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS 2 FLAT DISKS THAT CIRCLED TWO SUNS.
THEY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE DWARFS IN THE UNDERGROUND, BY 1950 CATHOLICISM BEGAN TO INTEGRATE INTO THEIR RELIGION . BY 1990 ALMOST ALL YUKPA ARE OUTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS, BUT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RELIGION.
IN A FEW TRADITIONAL YUKPA SETTLEMENTS THERE ARE SHAMANS WHO GUIDE COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMPORTANT RITUALS. THEIR CEREMONIES MARK LIFE CHANGES - BIRTH, PUBERTY, MARRIAGE AND DEATH. DURING THEIR CEREMONIES THEY SING SPECIFIC SONGS AND LEAD DANCES. THEIR RELIGION IS IMPORTANT TO THEM. THEIR SONGS ARE IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX. THEY HAVE TATTOOS ON FACE AND ARM. THEY WEAVE SIMPLE DESIGNS INTO THEIR BASKETS.
SICKNESS IS EXPLAINED BY REFERENCE TO THE SUPERNATURAL. PEOPLE WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS ARE KNOWN AS TUANOS. THESE SHAMANS HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICINAL PLANT REMEDIES. AND THROUGH METAPHYSICAL CONTROLS SHAMANS CAN EFFECT REMEDIES.
AFTER DEATH THEY BURY PEOPLE IN A BURIAL HUT ALONG WITH SOME POSSESSIONS. THEY REACH THE AFTERWORLD AND ARE GUIDED BY KOPECHO, THE MYTHICAL FROG.
EVERYCLTURE.COM
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