Bohío Atabei women attend Summer
Solstice Ceremony in Pittsburgh
June 29th, 2015
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| Bohío Atabei Mujeres de la Yuca present a gift to Behike Sague at the Taíno Summer Solstice in Pittsburgh. Photo: Courtesy of Bernadette Myd |
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| Women of Bohío Atabei cheer as Bibi Inarunikia Pastrano presents a goft to Behike Sague Photo: Courtesy of Bernadette Myd |
On Saturday, June 20th, 2015, women from the Bohío
Atabei Mujeres de la Yuca, joined Behike Miguel “Sobaoko Koromo” Sague, as well
as members and friends of the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle in Pittsburgh,
to celebrate the Taíno Summer Solstice Ceremony.
The weather in Pittsburgh had been somewhat challenging for
the past few days, yet it did not interfere with the desire of many brothers
and sisters to participate in this beautiful and important ceremony. We had the
pleasure of finally meeting in person our brothers Chris Hanson, as well as
Kasike Guatú Iri from Yukayeke Manicato.
As we waited, Andy Collazo, from Iukaieke Guainía played the
mayohuakán, as the women from the Bohio sang and danced. One could not help but
join in songs, smiles and the good energy that was being shared by all.
We moved locations, and ended up going to a beautiful park where
all shades of green adorned the surroundings. The aroma of the recently showered
ground, and the coolness one feels after the rain, became part of the ceremony
itself.
The sisters from the Caney, Tenanche, Carmen, Davinia, as
well as our other brothers and sisters were all welcoming and embraced us as
their guests making us all feel at home and with family.
Having attended other ceremonies by the Caney, I have to say
that this one was one of the most beautiful ones yet. We had a very good and balanced group of men
and women. While the men went to have the chord ceremony, the women gathered
and shared teachings. This was very empowering to all.
As the men finally returned to circle, they were singing a
Taíno song as they were approaching. Without say, we turned to look at our
brothers and joined in the song. To me, this was “magical” as I noticed that as
the men were getting closer, their voices and that of the women’s became one.
It was a spiritual fusion, one of those things to which one can only say: “You
had to be there!”
We concluded the ceremony with a poem, songs and dance. The
women from Bohío Atabei presented Behike Sague with a beautiful blanket as a
token of gratitude.
As the evening progressed, and we shared food and
conversation, I observed from a distance, knowing that we all were where we
needed to be at that precise moment. It was about connecting with our
ancestors, our spiritual family, and honoring all that we are and shall
continue to be through our future generations.
Tai Pelli
