The Boy Who Spoke to the Birds

By Roberto A. Zuazo

This is an Amazon indigenous story, told by the author's Aymara grandfather in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil. It depicts daily activities and challenges in the life of a remote village along a tributary of the Amazon River. It involves the discovery of a boy-child floating in an eagle's nest after a flood and how he was raised by his Shaman grandfather. The reader will experience and share in the boy's mystical transformation and be amazed by his gift of the spirit in communion with nature.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roberto A. Zuazo
• Release date: Sep 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370849048

Roberto A. Zuazo

Roberto Alencar Zuazo, is a native Aymara Elder, storyteller, wisdom keeper, traditional carver, teacher of Amerindian culture, myths and legends, ceremonial mask maker, natural polyglot and activist from the Amazon Rainforest. He grew up on the upper Purus River in Brazil. His Mother and grandfather were spiritual Healers and his father worked for many years as a traditional River pilot, renowned for vast oral knowledge of the Amazonian culture, myths and legends.Zuazo, as Aymara elder, wisdom keeper, cultural interpreter, and self-made polyglot has served as a wilderness instructor, and resource person for the scientific community of environmentalists, conservationists, ecologists, naturalists, biologists, ethnobotanists, anthropologists, and nature lovers.At the age of 16, Roberto became jungle guide and resource person for European scientific expeditions to the Amazon rainforest. He learned eight European languages while working with scientists and speaks several Amerindian Tongues.Along with his sister Auxiliadora Zuazo a well-known rainforest activist, poet and artist, they co-founded the first “Centro de Artes do Amazon” in 1967 to revive aboriginal art and provide on-going income for native artists. Zuazo is artist/carver; he has taught traditional arts such as woodcarving, pottery, sculpture, making ceremonial masks, musical instruments, pottery, basketry, bark canoes, paddles, spears, stone hatched, lances, blowguns, bows and arrows.He also co-founded, was playwright for, and directed the “Teatro de Dancas Amerindian” which promoted Amazonian arts and culture by performing sacred rituals of native life on the stage. Zuazo was appointed by SENAC, the government vocational school, to teach Amazonian lore, myths, legends, traditional ecological knowledge and Amerindian Spirituality.In the last 50 years he has given interactive workshops on the core of Amazonian Spirituality and Shamanic Consciousness in Brazil, Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, and the United States.Mr. Zuazo has written various articles on his aboriginal perspective of in interpreting the Amazon Jungle Philosophy of Life, and Nature People’s practices of conservation, to non-native society. In the 80 and 90’s he openly criticized the Brazilian government policies which supported the destruction the Amazon bio-diversity ecosystem on which millions of Nature People still depend for their daily Life. Because of this work, his life was threatened and he was forced to flee Brazil.Three decades ago he came to Ottawa invited by the World Media Institute, as a Correspondent for Latin American and Indigenous People. He’s a former CEO of the World Council of Indigenous people, and spiritual adviser for Sacred Assembly and Centre for Traditional Knowledge.

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The Boy Who Spoke to the Birds

By Roberto A Zuazo

Published by Roberto A Zuazo at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 Roberto A Zuazo

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Contents

Author’s Note:

Importance of Capitalizing Letters

The Spirit Communication of the Animals

Introduction

Chapter One

The Unpredictable Flood

Rebuilding Human Hive

The Undaunting Spirit of Survival

Chapter Two

Honoring the Bones of our Ancestors

The Spirit of the Elders

Fasting in Defiance of the Forces of Nature

Auspicious Dream

Medicine Energy of the Eagle

Spirit Guiding the Canoe

Chapter Three

Discovering the Baby

The Eagle’s Motherly Instinct

Communicating in Spirit with the Eagle

The Eagle Amulet

Reincarnation into Human Beings

Chapter Four

Divination of the Boy’s Great Soul

The Baby’s Beauty Enchants All

Grandmother’s Telepathic Ability

Go in Spirit to Find Food

Grandmother Takes Charge of the Baby

Good Fortune in Sighting Birds

Chapter Five

Receding River, Renewed Growth

Cleanup and Reconstruction

Insight of Jungle Elders and Shamans

The Concept of Naming the Baby

Inspirational Names Through Nature

The Soul-Naming Ceremony

Chapter Six

Communing With the Natural World

Mystical Jungle Survival

The Moon Divinity Influences all Forms of Life

Carving, Spears, Harpoons and Lances

Making Archery Fun

The Spirit of the Hunter

Innovative Shooting Targets

Chapter Seven

Primordial Spiritual Gifts

The Chosen Brother

Youthful Interaction

Saving the Baby Heron

Jungle Elders’ Judgment

Harnessing the Chameleon’s Powers

Chapter Eight

Tormented Night on the Eve of Initiation

Initiation into Spear Fishing

The Spirit of Fish has Entered into me

The Eagle-Boy Returns Without Fish

Atonement in the Jungle Sanctuary

Chapter Nine

Clarifying the Incident

Reminders of Ancestors’ Hunting

"The Spirit of the Jungle Has Touched Me

Blessed with an Abundance of Fish

Jungle Wisdom

His Way of Knowing and Acquiring Wisdom is through the Spirits

Mystic Fishing

Chapter Ten

Dream-Premonition of the Flash Flood

Warning the Next Village

Premonition Refuted

The Divine Will Judge You

Eagle-Boy Challenges the Divine Spirit

You Won the Hearts of the People!

Anointed by the Great Spirit

The Power of Communal Prayer

Eagle Spirit Rescuing Survivors

Chapter Eleven

Arwak Chief on a Rescue Mission

Clairvoyant through the Love Bond

Path of Enlightenment

Chief Offering Gifts

Garden of Flowers and Caged Birds

The Eagle-Boy Nearly Fainted

Grandfather’s Tears of Joy

Chapter Twelve

Eagle-Boy Reveals His Feelings

You May be Cursed by the Great Spirit

The Chief Was Moved by the Revelation

Freeing the Prisoners

How Can I Live in Spirit?

Returning Home

Glossary

Testimonials

Dedication

Acknowledgements

About the Author

- - -

Author’s note:

This is the way this story was re-told to me by my beloved Great Grandfather, Aymara Elder, in the Upper Purus River, a South-West Tributary of the Amazon River.

The Importance of Capitalizing Letters

In my writing I feel that I have to be faithful to my Aymara ancestry when I am trying to convey the essence of the Spirit of our Peoples. This is seen in the way we think, feel, speak, and how we perceive ourselves as part of the Natural world. It is also seen in our intimate affinity with the everyday Miracle of Mother Nature, our Communion with Nature and sense of unity with all sentient Beings, animate and inanimate.

Traditionally Indigenous spoken language was never meant to be transformed into an abstract writing form, which is impersonal, in that the word symbols can stand alone, devoid of the Author’s presence. Tribal tongues have flourished in their pure state of being, in accordance with the way of life of Indigenous People living off Mother Earth’s bounty. Since the Dawn of Human Life, Tribal tongues have remained live and vibrant in the mouths of our Ancestors. The Tribal tongue by its nature demands Human presence; the tone of voice is the vital component, in the way we articulate the words. The gaze and the Breathing rhythm reveal the true nature of our Soul, the inner feelings, sentiments and emotions. Our communication also depends on reading the face-to-face interaction to feel the silent language of the entire body, such as gestures, mimicking, eyes and facial expressions. That’s the main reason why our verbal language does not require a great number of words to describe what we feel or how we perceive life and the environment. Tribal languages have a small vocabulary in comparison to European languages. Tribal tongues emphasize intuitive interaction and rely less on the number of words.

Based on our way of life, I capitalize all the words related to Nature because I intend to convey our innate Tribal sensitivity and appreciation of other Sentient Beings which are vital to our Life Support System and therefore deserve our respect.

In our Amazonian traditional culture all the words to describe the Body of Mother Earth are spoken with respect and reverence. Therefore, they must be capitalized, such as: Soil, Land, Ground, Beach, Sand, Clay, Mud, Shore, Mountain, Hill, Rock and Stone. This is also true for Bodies of Water (Ocean, Sea, River, Stream, Brook, Lake, Waterfall, Spring Water, Rain); All Vegetation, Trees and Palms (Fruits, Leaves, Trunks, Roots, Seeds, Flowers); Names of all Sentient Animals of the Air, Water, and Land.

Also capitalized are the Names for Earth and Celestial Great Spirits or Divinities such as Divine Breath of Life (Wind, Gale, Storm, Breeze, Gust); Celestial Cloud of Rain, (Mist, Fog); Celestial Water (Rain, Snow, Hail); Thunder Bolt, Lightning, Celestial Anaconda Arch (Rainbow); Creator-Sun flight; Sun of the Night (Moon) and other Luminous Cosmic Bodies (Stars, Galaxies and Planets.)

Aboriginally speaking, we don’t have a single word to define Animals (that is a broad generalization). The word does not enhance the unique values and virtues of each species. We prefer to refer to them as the Feathered Beings that nest on Trees, or on Burrows, Hoofed Beings, Horned Beings, Furry Beings, Water Beings with scales or who are leathery, underground Beings such as Worms and other tiny Beings, etc…

The Spirit Communication of the Animals

The sentient Animals haven’t developed a set of complicated languages like Westerners. The Animals use their inborn, silent Primordial language; this is the Spiritual Language of the Heart, which is projected through image forming through the Spirit. For a non-initiated person in Amazon jungle traditions, it may seem absurd, a silent form of language communication, but for those initiated and trained as traditional ‘matero’ or trackers and hunters, this spiritual form of communication is a reality and an age old way of life. It takes years to master and it entails devotion and training in the field of Spirit Energy, developing the mind-power to enhance the sensory organs of sight, hearing, and smell which are essential in hunting through the dense Jungle. Animal communication is instinctive and common to every Animal. According to our Amautas, (Spiritual practitioners-Elders) it is also a natural mystic ability in Humans that has existed since primordial times. That is what this book is all about, Animal communication across species.

It is hard to describe how it works, but I know from experience that it involves the primordial Animal Intuitive Communication of the Spirit, known as telepathy. This is a gift from the Great Spirit to unite all Earth Beings without exception

INTRODUCTION

My story takes place in a tiny Jungle Village of a few Palm-thatched Huts on the Shores of the upper Purus River one of the main tributary of the Amazon River, where I was born and raised. We lived about 1,300 miles up the muddy Amazon and we drank its Water without filter. There was no electricity. The Jungle around us was unusually dense and pristine and the only way outsiders could reach us was by Riverboat. The River’s diversity of Fish species numbered at more than 2,500. Spearing or harpooning Fish was part of our daily activity. We ate Fish every day. The Animals in the Jungle were also plentiful. They moved in large Herds and were easy to track and to hunt. We consumed an amazing and colourful selection of wild, succulent Fruits, Figs, Berries and Nuts which included more than fifty varieties, of all shapes, sizes and textures. Each had unique and irresistible fragrances that enticed us to feast any time of the Day or Night.

Traditional Native Amazonian Families have lived together for many thousands of Moons just as gregariously as the Birds (‘greg’ meaning ‘egrets’ flock together). This sense of Family community is ingrained in our racial memory and our way of life. It is natural for several Families to share the same living space, to eat, work and sleep close together without partition walls to divide the space and with multiple hanging hammocks, crisscrossing the Barracão, or large thatched, mud hut Communal Hive.

The Amazon River itself in the Nheengatu language is called ‘Paranan Uasu’ (giant Body of Water). This great Waterway is consecrated as a Divine River, the God of Fertilizing Waters, who gives Birth to all Forms of Life, and who provides food, Medicines and drinking Water to all Animals of the Land and of the Air.

At the time our story begins, due to unusual high Water, the entire village had to be evacuated and was having a hard time finding food. Huge tracts of low Land Jungle were under Water, including our Orchard, and also a hundred varieties of wild Jungle Fruits, Figs, Nuts, Dates and Berries.

Chapter 1

The Unpredictable Flood

This flash flood was an unusual occurrence because Flooding Season had not begun, and it all happened after Dusk, during the pitch black night. While the entire village was sleeping, the waters silently started to crest with an amazing speed, catching everyone off guard.

Every day, the Jungle Elders led the best fishermen on a long journey to hunt for Fish, and to forage for any drowned Animal or wild Fruits that drifted by in the raging Waters. The usually abundant Fish had escaped into the flooded Jungle, making it difficult to catch them, because of the thickness of the Jungle bush and hanging Vines. There was no way the People could cast fishing nets, or use a line and hook due to the tangled vegetation above and underwater. The men managed to squeeze their small Ubas, or Tree-skin canoes through the maze of Jungle Trees and used their harpoons, spears and bow and arrows to catch Fish. After a full day’s effort their meager result was not enough to satisfy nearly one hundred hungry mouths.

Days and weeks went by with overcast Sky and incessant Rain pounding the area. For time immemorial the sound of the Rain has been revered by us as the Blessed Voice of the Sky Water Fertilizing Pacha Mama, the Earth Mother. The Fertilizing Rain is a Miracle, descending from the Sky, touching the Soil, the Trees and all Bodies of Water.

Ordinarily this is such a magical Medicinal Shower that it triggers in us an irresistible reaction to strip off all of our clothes and take part in the joy of celebrating the living Miracle of the Sky Waters by dancing naked with our mouths open to drink the pure Celestial Waters.

The presence of the Blessed Water from the Sky is also revered and cherished for its soothing sound tapping on the thatched roofs and its divine Nourishing Voice resonating against bare Ground. However the Villagers were now experiencing the dreadful side-effects of an over-abundance of Water that caused much suffering, famine, and sickness. Now it was perceived mainly by the young generation as the anger of a malevolent Entity, who had come to punish them. They felt trapped and at the mercy of the Wrath of the Gods.

All of the Villagers were deeply Spiritual People, Worshippers of the Forces of Nature, who maintained strong kinship ties with the Spirits of their Ancestors who in turn acted as their Spirit Mediators and Helpers. So every day the villagers piously Prayed for hope and encouragement to Tata Inti, (the Flaming Sun God) to burn strongly in order to pierce the dense Cloud and beam down His warm rays to stop the Rain and dry up the Flood.

Rebuilding the Human Hive

In the meantime, the villagers managed to build a makeshift floating raft of huge logs lashed together with vines, as many Trees and Palms, uprooted by the Windstorm and raging Waters, were found drifting. They built a large communal hut called a Maloca, or Human hive, on top of the logs, using Palm frond material for a thatched roof, external walls and floor mats.

Traditional Native Amazonian Families have lived for many thousands of Moons together just as gregariously as the Birds (‘greg’ meaning ‘egrets’ flocking together). This sense of Family community has been ingrained in our memory and our way of life. It is natural for several Families to share the same living space, to eat, work and sleep close together without partition walls to divide the space and with multiple hammocks hanging, crisscrossing the Maloca.

The Undaunted Spirit of Survival

Wild Jungle Fruits and Fish were growing scarce; there was not enough to feed everyone and it was taking a toll on the Spirit of the Villagers. The lack of food forced them to draw on their survival instincts, as the Jungle Elders declared, From now on whatever Creatures move, crawl, or fly, you can kill for food. But remember to honour the Spirit or Soul of every Animal, no matter how small and while performing the Ritual Killing, to appease their Disembodied Souls. This time the hunting will be on the ‘Igapo’ flooded Jungle; be sensitive to the Spirits of Trees and Palms before climbing. You must first beg permission from the Spirit of the Tree to climb and offer Thanksgiving Prayers for the sentient Beings residing on the Trees such as Monkeys, Coatis, Iguanas, Winged Beings, and Insects like large Ants, Larvae, Caterpillars, Beetles, Bugs, Locusts, Grasshoppers, Crickets, Spiders and Scorpions.

This is a dreadful challenge that we face. It puts our very existence in peril.

Usually our entire Arawak Village was known for celebrating life with a good dose of optimism, with fun-loving Spirit and plenty of humour and contagious laughter. However, for two Moon cycles, persistent Rain devastated the Amazon Jungle Sanctuary. It turned into a huge lake and the gloomy overcast Sky changed the balmy tropical climate into wet cold. This awful tragedy had a devastating effect on our young Children and the Elderly who were growing weak and infected with measles. It also challenged the Spirit of everyone to reconsider their kinship with the Great Spirit.

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Chapter Two

Honouring the Bones of our Ancestors

The Council of the Elders in unison decided to turn inward to find a solution to this menace, by unveiling their most treasured Spiritual Icon, the sacred Bones of their beloved Ancestors. In this case, they brought back the cherished Bones of our beloved Great Grandparents and made a special Ceremony to invoke their Spiritual Powers. Family Bones possess Magical Powers and are cherished objects of worship, ancient talismans. They function as a powerful catalyst of Sacred Energy, a Transcendental Portal, capable of transporting members of the Family to another dimension. There is no other power on Earth more important than the presence of the Bones to bring the radiant Spirit presence of the Deceased back to life. They are regarded as the most sacred part of the Family Legacy, the solid substance that does not decompose after the Death of the Flesh.

Uttering Prayers while holding the Family Bones is the most powerful way for Native Amazonians to attain a higher state of consciousness, to spiritually intervene by appeasing the Forces of Mother Nature. The Family Bones are the glue that keeps together the deeds, values and Bonds of Love of the clan. The presence of the Sacred Bones is, to Native Amazonians, equivalent to Saints’ relics or the Holy Tabernacle for pious Christians or Jews. Each Bone is viewed as the live Seed within the Fruit, with all the encoded genes of a Vegetal Consciousness of its own, ready to Re-germinate into a majestic Tree that bears seeded Fruits. Gazing at, or touching, them is the same as feeling the very presence of the Deceased Person coming to life.

Many Arawak Natives piously Pray in contemplation, feasting their eyes on the Holy Cloud formations, seeking a sacred Vision, Apparition or Clairvoyance (clear spiritual vision). Their Spirits are immersed in the sacred realm of Prayers to commune with the Almighty Thunapa, the Great Lord of the Blue Sky, who has a Thundering, deafening voice and flies, armed with Flaming Rocks, to control the Wind Divinity. He also controls the invisible Celestial River of the meandering grey Cloud Deity who clogs the Sky. The Cloud Deity obstructs the warm Rays of the Tata-Inti or Creator-Sun from penetrating through the dense Clouds and casting His beams on Earth to dry up excessive Water and to renew all Life.

Young generations of Warriors were the mystic hunters, fishermen and wild Fruit gatherers who shared food with everyone. Now their Spirits as food providers waned; they were humiliated because they were not capable of catching sufficient Fish, Animals and edible Insects. They could not stand witnessing the suffering that the tragedy inflicted on their People.

The Spirit of the Elders

However it is the Elderly Grandparents of two, three, four or five generations of Children, in their role as Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Clan, who carry all the burden of responsibility when survival is threatened. They dug in their heels