We want to tell you about something that happened in the community a few weeks ago: “the house was upset”. That’s the literal translation for the Kuna phrase: “Negurwesid“. But it really does have a more deep, difficult to translate meaning: Negurwesid means that for some reason, the spirits are disturbed and upset, and that is sometimes the cause for epidemics, infestations or even disasters. However, I thought that “the house is upset” sounds interesing. By “house”, we mean environment, habitat and everything that surrounds us.
I’m telling you this, because a few weeks ago in the Uggupseni community (Playón Chico), while one of the members of the community was taking a rest in the forest, he was “hugged” by a boa. After this incident, many people said they had seen snakes, some others had dreamed about snakes, and someone was even visited by a snake at her home (this person happens to be one of my aunts).
The rumor started in the community about Iguanaidipe’s spirit around. What? Iguanai..who?? Let me explain myself: Iguanaidipe was the last wise man with knowledge on snakes and their venom, he also happened to be the father of Yandup’s owner: Mr. Eligio (and, my grandfather, of course).
The chiefs concluded “Negdamiboed” was to be declared, which means something like “cleaning the house”, for several days. To give you an idea, on occasions it is also translated as “peace pipe”. This process includes: pipe smoking, cocoa seed burning, taking out the nuchus (wooden figures representing and saving spirits), people must not come or leave the community and spraying ina around the community to keep snakes away.
Oh! In case you were worried, the man was able to release himself from the boa and arrived the community. They tell us he fainted when he got to the community but now he has recovered.
-Yaiguili
Yandup and you 