About the Artists

Tebol, Mexico, Ceremony
Part Two

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Part Two: The second part of this program contains an extremely rare ceremony performed by the Piaroas for the renewal of the universe. It is spine tingling, performed at midnight and lasting close to an hour. Three of the key dancers wear regalia made of cane completely covering their bodies. They look like small huts and clatter with every step. On the last night, the Tepejuans host the final ceremony, which lasts from dusk to dawn. Gabino, the elder of the tribe, sits in a center ring and plays an odd looking instrument that looks like a large bent bow resting on a large, overturned gourd. The sound is subtle and mesmerizing as he hits the bowstring with a small wand. The other tribes bring their music into the breaks and the dancing goes on all night with five or six small fires burning to add light and heat. In the morning, there is a feast and all join to celebrate the end of the ceremony.

As we all break camp and prepare to return to "real life" we are reluctant to leave. There are tears, hugs and picture-taking as the sweet energy of the heart concludes the ceremony and brings us all a greater sense of hope and purpose, something we can take home and use to continue on all our separate journeys.