Shipibos
I am honored to be working in northern Peru with the Shipibo indians. I love to hear their beautiful dialect, and it's nice to know that there are many Peruvians who know less Spanish than I.
The Shipibos live deep in the jungle, or sometimes in communities along the river. Most of the houses in the Shipibo villages are elevated up on stilts, and they don't have walls, only four big posts and a thatch roof. The inhabitants don't need walls because they don't have any possessions for their neighbors to steal. They own a few hammocks, one pair of clothes per person, and a few simple handmade pots and tools. Very few of them wear shoes.
The Shipibos who don't speak Spanish cannot read, either, and we have to make charts for their medications using pictures of the rising or setting sun or pictures of meals.
About 90% of the Shipibos we treat are women and children. The women proudly wear tradional clothing that they sew by hand. They spend 2-3 months embroidering each of their skirts with distinct geometric designs and their blouses have colorful ruffles on the back hem and collar. They smile with their mouths closed because most have them have lost all of their teeth.
Karen and I have been trying to learn some Shipibo, but it is a struggle, and they mostly just laugh when we try to talk to them. It seems they communicate more with phrases then actual specific words, but I still know so very little. Here are a few expressions we have learned.
Jawequescariaria is 'how are you?'
Jakonyamakiri is 'good morning.'
Jawebairimia is 'how old are you?'
Earaonpaxkenai means 'I want water.'
Earaoxakasai means 'I want to sleep.'
Bekanwe means 'welcome.'
The Shipibos live deep in the jungle, or sometimes in communities along the river. Most of the houses in the Shipibo villages are elevated up on stilts, and they don't have walls, only four big posts and a thatch roof. The inhabitants don't need walls because they don't have any possessions for their neighbors to steal. They own a few hammocks, one pair of clothes per person, and a few simple handmade pots and tools. Very few of them wear shoes.
The Shipibos who don't speak Spanish cannot read, either, and we have to make charts for their medications using pictures of the rising or setting sun or pictures of meals.
About 90% of the Shipibos we treat are women and children. The women proudly wear tradional clothing that they sew by hand. They spend 2-3 months embroidering each of their skirts with distinct geometric designs and their blouses have colorful ruffles on the back hem and collar. They smile with their mouths closed because most have them have lost all of their teeth.
Karen and I have been trying to learn some Shipibo, but it is a struggle, and they mostly just laugh when we try to talk to them. It seems they communicate more with phrases then actual specific words, but I still know so very little. Here are a few expressions we have learned.
Jawequescariaria is 'how are you?'
Jakonyamakiri is 'good morning.'
Jawebairimia is 'how old are you?'
Earaonpaxkenai means 'I want water.'
Earaoxakasai means 'I want to sleep.'
Bekanwe means 'welcome.'
posted by Ansley at 9:44 AM
6 Comments:
its amazing that you were able to spell those phrases! those look like quite the mouthfuls!
Will you be able to post some photos of some of these fascinating Shipibos and/or some of their homes and embroidered clothing?
Ansley, I would love to be able to see the pictures you drew to explain when medications were to be taken. That is so clever. Your experience reminds me of the time 30 years ago that I spent among the Iban people of Borneo who lived in Long Houses (a kind of apartment building all under one roof)
Ansley, what awesome adventures you are having!! Is this the same language from that book that I gave you, or is it some totally different, unrelated dialect? How is your Spanish coming along?
Ansley, I had a wonderful time meeting your parents and spending the day with Alban. We had lots of fun in San fran. We played 7up 7down with your dad and grandpa. Your grandma made us a delightful Haystack dinner. I went and listened to Alban on the organ at PUC. I wish i could have spent more time with them.
As if learning Spanish isn't enough! You take the cake.
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