Page 46 - Demo

46The shaman%u2019s ceremonial attire, adorned with feathers and intricate beadwork, is laid out with reverence. Each piece tells a story%u2014of spirits, ancestors, and cosmic forces intertwined with the very essence of the forest.The villagers gather, their anticipation palpable, and Tuma, at the heart of this sacred circle, begins the ritual with a series of chants and rhythmic drumming. As twilight descends and the sky becomes a canvas of stars, the training takes on a more mystical dimension. Even the night sky has been carefully selected for this ritual. THE GREAT DANCEUnder the gaze of the constellation known to the Carijona as the %u201cCelestial Counsellors, KAN%u00c1 collects his potion and takes his leave as he embarks on a solitary, one-way journey to the SACRED GROVE.If and when he returns, he will not be Kan%u00e1 anymore. He will BE the Jaguar Apprentice. In the twilight hours, the elders lead the community in the great dance: A ritual that honours the spirits of the forest and ensures the harmony of the village. The air thrums with the beat of drums and the haunting melodies of bamboo flutes, as the Carijona, their movements fluid and reverent, weave patterns that mimic the flow of the river and the flight of the harpy eagle.In the clear, moonlit nights, when the sky is a tapestry of stars and the jungle pulses with the rhythm of nocturnal life, the Carijona elders tell stories of Yeb%u00e1, the Sun Mother, and Jir%u00f3, the Moon Father, whose union gave birth to the first beings in the sacred caves of Chiribiquete. These tales, woven with the threads of myth and history, are not just entertainment but a vital link to the past, a way to teach the young about their place in the cosmos.During Kana%u2019s absence, Tuma, the chief shaman, proceeds with a ceremony which includes the whole community. Together they will present a united and respectful body who will give praise to the deities using rituals, presentations and dance. It is hoped that by appeasing the gods, the community will smooth Kana%u2019s epic journey. Easing his transition and ensuring his safe return.