Demarcation Diaries
14 September 2001
Kontau (Team A) : The Deni seemed
quite surprised that the Chinese eat "makha" (the Deni
word for "snake") because the Deni do not even though
there are plenty of makha around here. Flavio was very enthusiastic
to catch a snake and make me cook it. If that really happens,
it will be the first snake I see in the Amazon. But I wish I never
see an Amazon snake, whether in the kitchen or in the forest,
because either way is unpleasant. more
Márcio (medic aboard Savio) : The opportunity
to talk to the Deni about their culture and way of life is unique.
So much information about legends and beliefs, routine activities
and parties, and much more. I want to listen to as much as I can,
because all Deni are going into the jungle in a few days and I'll
stay on the ship. Well, maybe Manuel and Cees can tell me about
the legends and beliefs of the Dutch people... more
Paula, Samuel and Petros (Cuniua Team) : Ademar got a "ura"
( tecnical name: cordilobia antropofaga), that is a fly that puts
its eggs inside your skin and then the larva grows there ( making
a big mess) until a fly comes out (isn't it disgusting?). We tried
to remove it with all the traditional procedures: putting tobacco
inside the hole, throwing smoke (all the team has been smoking
around Ademar and his wound the whole afternoon), putting a piece
of fat to try to asphyxiate the worm and putting on vaseline.
But no success. more
Note: Volunteers and the Deni work in three different teams. Team C (Cuniuã Team) works by boat following the Coxodoã, Cuniuã and Canaçã rivers, the natural boundary of the Deni territory along the eastern perimeter. Teams A and B started at the north west tip, working away from each other, assisting the Deni in cutting a 1.5 meter path through the jungle and erecting signs identifying the Deni territory.
|
|
