Rites of Passage: The Journey from Childhood to Adulthood of My Friend Basilio.

With the sunrise, the couple must confess, nothing will be hidden, not a single thought. As if it was a film, soon Mamo Abel will see all their actions and thoughts poured before him, and without any judgement, will deliver this energy as nourishment to the negatives spirits. Before the entanglement, they will be clean and pure, heart and soul.

Zhatukwa, water and stones that connects human mind with the Cosmic mind.

DAY 1 - THE LAST MORNING AS A BOY.

The morning of the ceremony, both Basilio and Margarita have to go through a ritual of confession with the Mamos and the city council called "Aganguashi". They altogether will connect each other’s minds through a deep meditation state called "Zhatukwa" to review all the crucial events of their lives until now. Mamos can watch the lifetime of the bride and groom as if it was a movie. Once the confessions have ended, their hearts will be cleaned and will be as if they dress in new clothes.

Confession and Connection

When Aganguashi confession is over, Basilio is given with the Damburro, a special gourd prepared by the Mamo which contains a calcium lime obtained from roasted and crushed seashells, specific ones. They mix this powder in their mouths with roasted coca leaves that they previously chew for a while. It gives a green-yellow paste which works as sort of an energy boost that helps them to stay awake during the two-three nights’ ceremonies without feeling thirsty or hungry and it enhances their performance during long working days in the field or long walks that clear their minds and give them a good humour. It also represents their passport to enter into ceremonial houses. Damburro symbolises their wives and they must permanently carry it with them wherever they go.

Damburro, simbolises the constant and loyal company of a wife, a diary written with confessions.

Now, Basilio has to enter into the ceremonial house of men but before doing so, he has to remove all non-traditional accessories such as watches, metal objects and shoes and remain awake all night long, sitting in a corner staring at his feet to deeply focus. He is not allowed to talk or look at anyone's eyes, he can only listen the advice of the elders. For his future wife Margarita, things are slightly different for she has been married once already, is a widow; she also must remain inside the ceremonial house of women however, is allowed to talk to the women of the community and even to me, a foreigner and complete stranger.

Last time Basilio was seen as a boy for his community.

Both of them have to follow a special and strict diet: shredded and dried yuca balls called Nozzy, iguana stew and beans without salt, prepared by the mother of the boy. The couple will feed each other and all the witnesses of the ceremony with it simbolising mutual care and respect.

Francisca preparing Nozzy at 3am in the morning

I will take care and nourish you in actions and thoughts.

I will suport and nourish you with my actions and thoughts.

FIRST NIGHT... A VERY LONG ONE.

During the night, Basilio is constantly receiving counseling. The couple is taken out of the ceremonial houses on four different occasions along the night to a sacred lagoon, only companioned by the city council. Basilio must give a bath to Margarita and she has to give a bath to him under the watchful eye of this only witness, they must respect the law and have only the necessary contact for this part of the ritual. Women must yarn three bags for the Mamos while men are playing traditional music and chewing coca leaves, confessing their thoughts to their symbolic wifes or Damburros.

Receiving counseling with the fire as a witness.

TO BE CONTINUED...