Another
early morning, 7:30 a.m. and we were up for preparation of the recording. We arrived again at the mango tree and the
band was led back to the house where they did the ritual painting. Today would be the Wanaridobe, or Godfather's
chant. Each member received the
customary bracelets and necklace, but this time the entire body was painted and
the face as well. Each person was
painted differently. I also received a
bit of face paint, I couldn't resist.
A dance with the Indians joining hands with the band was conducted, this time
in the hot sun, not under the mango trees.
This was done for visual purpose only.
The recording is next; and it did not take as much time as before. Ross believed at this time he had compiled
enough on tape.
Afterwards the band played Kaiowas to the Indians, honoring their request to
hear Sepultura. When they finished, the
Indians chant "dure," which means one more, or encore. They honorably played it one more time, with
Max adding some screams.
Sepultura then spoke with some of the musicians in a sit down interview. Sepultura asked the tribe members about their
music and were asked questions back , about their tattoos, long hair and
general appearance.
Our video director, during all of this, went up in an airplane, removed the
door, and got some great aerial footage.
The rest of us went back to the schoolhouse to pack and have lunch.
 |
| me tatting kid |
 |
| Me with the badass Xavantes dude, my friend |
When all was done, we returned to the mango trees for one last ceremony. Once again, they filed past us saying their
goodbyes, and presenting us with wonderful gifts of jewelry, purses, headgear,
and feathers. Our emotions soared, we
felt we had come so close to these wonderful people.
 |
| Max, Me, Andreas, Severia and tribe. |
I asked Angela why some of the people had their heads shaved and learned that
when a family member dies, the entire family shaves their head as a show of
mourning. It seems that the first
recognized death of cancer had occurred.
The white man's sickness have been creeping in, little by little, since
their first contact 50 years ago.
We had learned so much from these simple people. How little they have and so much we
have. To do a simple task like go to a
doctor took a 250 mile walk!
 |
| Airplane landing strip |
 |
| Max and Me on the plane |
As we flew through time, back to our present lives, we could only hope that
this little community will survive against all odds this world has stacked up
against them, and we prayed to return again.
 |
| at the hotel in Goiânia, Brasil, about to fly home. |
Class Dismissed...
