...TRIBAL TRAVELOGUE……Part 2 of 4

…The red paint is made from a small fruit called urucum. It is collected, cooked, and then made into a paste. The Indians chew coconut which, when mixed with their spit, produces an oily mixture, which is then spit on the block of red dye and then applied to one's skin and hair.

We were then allowed a short swim in the river and relaxation time. I met Severia, Cipasse's wife, who speaks English. Apparently, she was from a more privileged family and was allowed education at the University of Goiania.

 A few of us went back to the mango tree for a meeting regarding the recording. It was short and technical; afterwards we returned to dinner. After the meal of rice, beans and chicken, we were invited to the parliament area for a typical night of chanting, dancing, and generally warming up.

 We were seated on benches in the center of the Indians, with both men and women. The moon provided a brilliant atmosphere, as it was the only light. I am told that the Indians can see much better in the dark than we can. The mood was intense, with their chanting and circling, and I felt as if I had been teleported back in time. It was explained to us that this was the Daitsi Wawere healing chant, which they perform all night around the house of a sick person. Some of our band and crew joined in the circle and turned it into great fun for the closing of the day.

w/Ross Robinson

As I lay in our tent, listening to the termites crunching the leaves under us, I marveled at how this ancient civilization had made its way into the present day, still preserving their year's old traditions. Their life goes on, day after day, without a care of what is going on in the rest of the world. No TV, radio or magazine stand here, only self preservation. It was as if they had made it through time, holding on to their values, to share them in this very special meeting with Sepultura-a merging of cultures in the one truly universal language that has no barriers..music.

To be continued….

Class dismissed….