The Shaman Juan Sanchez
Guetare god of life.
Smoke house, general meeting hut.Today I had one of the most fascinating experiences yet in Costa Rica. This morning the group got up and we headed to the La Casa de Juan Sanchez. Juan Sanchez is a shaman for the indigenous tribe called the Guetares. He is working to preserve the indigenous culture in Costa Rica firmly believing that we can learn from the ways and beliefs of the indigenous people.
Upon arriving in the mountains, we followed a trail down to a smoke house (see picture #1) that Juan had built on a piece of land dedicated to the rebirth of the Guetare beliefs and customs. We sat down around a fire inside the structure and Juan Sanchez began to talk to us about the customs, beliefs and the plight of the indigenous people of Costa Rica. I served as the translator for the group with the help of Avra, one of the chaperons. We made a great team!
After he talked to us about how much the indigenous have been impacted by the conquest and how today, it is so important not to lose the customs of the indigenous people we began walking around the acreage. He showed us trees that when cut will produce milk, leaves that can be used as a sugar alternative and sap that can be used as toothpaste. He took us further and showed us a rock design that represented the planets, a sacrificial altar (used for animals like snakes and birds, not humans!), and a burial ground and the remains from those tombs. We then ventured further into the mountain to an altar that was designed with 4 seats where ceremonies were held for the air, earth, fire and water.
From there we ventured back around the mountain side and to the area where the Guetares create their ceramic creations. He explained how important clay and ceramics are to the tribe because they tell stories and hold histories of the tribe. We then were able to create our own bowls and structures. I’m not sure mine will hold up to make it home, but I hope so!
Finally, we ended back in the main hut and Juan Sanchez performed a ritual/ceremony for those traveling and that their journeys are safe. It was a very sacred and special moment. He performed the ritual in the original indigenous manner and blessed us accordingly. It was such a neat experience. I can barely put into words how it felt to be part of something so ancient and sacred to a people. I don’t understand it all because I hold my own belief in God, but it was incredible, and that Juan Sanchez shared it with us was even more amazing.
We just finished out the night with a great game of ‘Go to Court.’ I haven’t played that game in years. It was fun to run around again and hide and strategize. Before that we had a little campfire and made s’mores and banana boats (an amazing invention of a banana stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows cooked over coals).
So tonight I lie here extremely satisfied and content. I know I say it often, but I am so blessed to be here and to have met so many wonderful people. I’m heading to bed shortly. Tomorrow I’ll be making bunk beds for an impoverished neighborhood. More on that tomorrow.
Buenas noches,
Jessica Lynn
Upon arriving in the mountains, we followed a trail down to a smoke house (see picture #1) that Juan had built on a piece of land dedicated to the rebirth of the Guetare beliefs and customs. We sat down around a fire inside the structure and Juan Sanchez began to talk to us about the customs, beliefs and the plight of the indigenous people of Costa Rica. I served as the translator for the group with the help of Avra, one of the chaperons. We made a great team!
After he talked to us about how much the indigenous have been impacted by the conquest and how today, it is so important not to lose the customs of the indigenous people we began walking around the acreage. He showed us trees that when cut will produce milk, leaves that can be used as a sugar alternative and sap that can be used as toothpaste. He took us further and showed us a rock design that represented the planets, a sacrificial altar (used for animals like snakes and birds, not humans!), and a burial ground and the remains from those tombs. We then ventured further into the mountain to an altar that was designed with 4 seats where ceremonies were held for the air, earth, fire and water.
From there we ventured back around the mountain side and to the area where the Guetares create their ceramic creations. He explained how important clay and ceramics are to the tribe because they tell stories and hold histories of the tribe. We then were able to create our own bowls and structures. I’m not sure mine will hold up to make it home, but I hope so!
Finally, we ended back in the main hut and Juan Sanchez performed a ritual/ceremony for those traveling and that their journeys are safe. It was a very sacred and special moment. He performed the ritual in the original indigenous manner and blessed us accordingly. It was such a neat experience. I can barely put into words how it felt to be part of something so ancient and sacred to a people. I don’t understand it all because I hold my own belief in God, but it was incredible, and that Juan Sanchez shared it with us was even more amazing.
We just finished out the night with a great game of ‘Go to Court.’ I haven’t played that game in years. It was fun to run around again and hide and strategize. Before that we had a little campfire and made s’mores and banana boats (an amazing invention of a banana stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows cooked over coals).
So tonight I lie here extremely satisfied and content. I know I say it often, but I am so blessed to be here and to have met so many wonderful people. I’m heading to bed shortly. Tomorrow I’ll be making bunk beds for an impoverished neighborhood. More on that tomorrow.
Buenas noches,
Jessica Lynn
No comments:
Post a Comment