We had high expectations arriving at the Primero de Enero village, after spending two days with the Maijuna people at Sucasari. The moment we walked into the trading room our group was immediately impressed by how the children gathered into a well-organized arrangement and sang perfectly in sync to us. It was apparent that they prepared for our arrival because they were dressed in costumes made out of leaves and other rainforest material. We then sang Children of the Sacred Heart to them as an example of a song that has meaning at our school. This was a form of showing our appreciation for everything they set up for us. The children seemed automatically comfortable with our group after the song and they each came up and grabbed our hands, while pulling us into a circle to dance. The villagers were playing their music with the handmade instruments in the background as the kids showed us their form of dancing. When the fun and games was all said and done, we organized and traded or clothes for the villagers’ crafts. It was all about coming to fair agreements as we each learned how to bargain
The biggest honor of this experience was when the children presented us with gifts after we had already traded all of our items, except the suitcases and clothes leftover for the lottery. We were all very grateful for their kindness and welcoming us into their village in such a selfless manner. When it was time for the lottery, our guide Roldan had the winners of the draw to parade their object around in a circle to show it off to the rest of the villagers. It was pretty entertaining to witness the men strut around with their new clothes. Afterward, the children took our hands and led us outside, where we all began to dance around a tree. Its branches were filled with gifts, so it was our job to cut it down by taking turns with a machete. This tree was their version of a piñata. While we each attempted to hack through the trunk, the village women smeared paprika over the faces and arms of those still dancing around the tree. The ceremony also involved throwing flour and cold water onto us, which was refreshing but a bit unexpected. This event was definitely a highlight of the week as we immersed ourselves in their culture and partook in the experience with the kids. We left Primero de Enero with smiles on our faces, aware we probably would not get a chance to share in this opportunity again, but also reassured with this unforgettable memory.
Children of the Sacred Heart
MARCH 2018
7
Z - In Search of the Sustainable Soul
Primero de Enero
by Kendall G