Around 40 people gathered at Tapi for our second annual Animal Day, bringing an amazing collection of companions with them. Whisper began by blessing the Tapi animals before welcoming everyone else forward one by one. Among the visitors were cats, dogs, goats, a cougar, capybara, elephant, parrot, frog and even a piranha in a wooden tub, affectionately named Bitey McBiteface.
There was plenty of laughter along the way as Whisper reminded everyone that perhaps humans do not choose their animals at all. Sometimes an animal simply decides, “Yes, this human will do,” and from then on our food, beds and chairs are no longer entirely ours. Even the humans received a blessing for putting up with muddy footprints, strange noises and animals gradually taking ownership of the furniture.
After the blessings, Summer invited Catten to tell the old story of Curupira, the red-haired guardian of the jungle whose backwards feet confuse hunters and who protects the forest and its creatures. With the story told, the blessings complete and both animals and humans suitably celebrated, there was only one thing left to do: dance! TAPÉUICHA!
This weekend, the Hacienda filled with music and candlelight as we gathered to honor the ancestors. Eve opened the night with her speech, before Shaman Whisper, together with Summer and Catten, performed a voodoo ritual to awaken the spirits of the dead, its power marked by blood, feathers, and the lifeless chickens offered to the beyond.
When the ritual ended, the drums took over and everyone danced. Painted faces, bone-clad bodies, and bright dresses filled the courtyard until dawn, as the living and the dead celebrated side by side.
Day 3 of Fishing Weekend was the Animal Spirit Guide Ritual. Our shaman—decidedly over-herbed—communed with the spirits to find the perfect animal guide for everyone who wished. Guided by Summer and August, she bestowed 38 spirit animals in total. Even our tribe cat, Tasa, received hers.
Our Tribes now Famous Cover Band, The Wildcats, Played at Gallivant’s Clearing for a big crowed to help our Feed the Jungle Charity.
Summer had decorated Gallivant’s Clearing, making it very festive, and the Wildcats (Alaya, Bubba, Kart, Kwania, Mina, Summer, Whisper) played many new songs as well as some old favorites while people donated. We raised over 3,000 coins and will continue collecting over the coming months.
Micke and Goo also took videos at the concert.
Video by MickeVideo by MickeVideo By MickeVideo By Goo
Today, we celebrated Naked Wednesday at Love Temple, a place that, according to the shamans’ rituals, holds significant healing and sexual energies. Summer had decorated the place beautifully, and many people came to bathe with the tribe. Overall, it was a great Wednesday.
Today, we came together to celebrate the initiation of August and Haven into our tribe. Our sacred ritual site was again made beautifully and festive by Summer. Bubba held a speech for the two initiates speaking of the tribe being like a river. Then, Shaman Whisper, assisted by Summer, performed the initiation ceremony, and Kwanita held a finishing speech to conclude the event.
Bubba: “Hear me O Tapis!”
Bubba: “The river is the jungle, the jungle is the river – the river and jungle are one!”
Bubba: “So is our tribe a river, a river that flows through time”
Bubba: “It flows from our ancestors, those who are no more, it flows with their wisdom through us”
Bubba: “And it flows through us to our children”
Bubba: “A Tapirapé initiate is like a child, that comes of age”
Bubba: “Your initiation ceremony shows the jungle, that you are now part of the river, that is our tribe!”
Bubba: “It is your crowning achievement – and you shall indeed be crowned today!”
Bubba: “Know – that you are part of a long tradition, that stretches back to Dalla who founded this village on the river here”
Bubba: “It flows through Butterfly, and #Eva and her many daughters”
Bubba: “Now you two too are part of that river!”
Bubba: “Rejoice Jungle – for you have gained a pair of capable women – whose equals are none!”
Bubba: “Taupichá I say taupichá for this initiation!”
Bubba Pauses and looks out over the small crowd very very satisfied with himself.
KWANITA: looks around, then at the young tapirapé, with his feathers and smiles at them and begins to speak in a loud voice.
KWANITA: “Years ago, our ancestors created in this jungle, and our tribe “Tapirapé”, which is the oldest tribe in the jungle, was conceived with the idea of freedom, and a spiritual life and rituals and to help our loved ones and allies”
KWANITA: “Today, new Tapirapé, it is thanks to your efforts, your dedication and your commitment to our tribe that we can continue the unfinished work of our ancestors, with the will to protect and promote our people.”
KWANITA: “remember, whenever you wonder how far you can go. remember the path you have traveled, what you have faced, your battles won and all the fears you have overcome.”
KWANITA: “Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable” smiles at everyone
KWANITA: “I am proud of you, new tapirape congratulations”
Today, we came together to celebrate the initiation of Alaya, Mikhael, Nuk, Toxo, and Yakirin into our tribe. Our sacred ritual site was made beautifully and festive by the gifts of Elder Summer. Tapis and friends from all around gathered to join in the celebration, hearts full of joy. As tradition holds, Bubba took center stage, offering a welcoming speech to our new Brothers and Sisters, marking the beginning of their journey with us, and then Shaman Whisper, assisted by Atan, performed the initiation ceremony.
Bubba: “Tapirapé people! Elders of the tribe!”
Bubba: “We are gathered here for a very joyous occasion – our tribe grows”
Bubba: Coughs, “We are gathered here for a very joyous occasion – our tribe grows”
Bubba: “Not only from our women’s wombs – but natives from all along the river!”
Bubba: “We – the Tapirapé people are honored to welcome these fine prospects into our tribe!”
Bubba: “They have spent time here, and learned our ways – we could not be happier or ask for more!”
Bubba: “I know that you will all be fine additions to our people! That you shall populate the Tapi lands with new strong children and tend our fields and goats”
Bubba: “Know that you are becoming part of one of the jungle’s oldest and most storied tribes!”
The Tapi has won the Amazon Diá de Muertos Camp Decoration Contest! Summer did an incredible job decorating the camp once again this year, leading to a well-deserved victory. Congratulations to Summer, and thank you!
This Wednesday, the tribe and friends gathered to celebrate Día de Muertos Naked Wednesday. Summer first cleansed everyone with smudge, and then Whisper told everyone about the dead bird Poco, Canijo the dead pussycat, Loco the dead uncle, and Gourdita the dead aunt and how they can help us remember our ancestors so they don’t fade away. Then we went searching for them and finally got painted with body paints featuring their images.
Today, Summer and Kwanita guided us all in a cooking session. We discovered how to prepare several delicious dishes, marking what I believe will be the first of many collaborative cooking days. Belleniko contributed her own special ingredients, resulting in some intriguing dishes!
