The Bug Game
- 16 Feb 08, 11:46 AM
Posted from: Parana
The Marubo village stands high up on a bank overlooking the river and it鈥檚 from there that I鈥檓 shooting a time-lapse shot of a stunning sunset expanding over the bend in the river and the jungle beyond.
I seem to have adopted a little group of helpers aged between about three and seven yrs old. Their new game, which they find hysterical, is to find all manner of bugs, put them on me and laugh at my reactions. This was okay when it was small insects but they now seem to be finding huge maggot grubs and even larger spiders. Every time I chase them they run in fits of giggles and come back for more.
Two of the young members of the Marubo tribe
Rob has just saved me from this game by saying that we have been summoned to an important meeting in the village longhouse and, as Bruce is tired, Rob, Pete and I make up our delegation.
We are joined by Phillipe who was previously our camp hand but has now filled in as translator due to Marco being evacuated with possible Malaria. He鈥檚 a fantastic all-round jungle expert from Columbia with long flowing hair, an incredibly toned physique and the gentlest quiet way with people.
It鈥檚 a magical atmosphere as the moon rises in the sky over the village. The four of us approach the longhouse and stoop under the low entrance door to be greeted by a fantastic sight.
The whole of the Marubo tribe are packed inside, dressed in traditional clothing and sitting proudly in a row on a log are their most senior warriors. The smoky air is lit by candlelight and the whole scene looked magnificent.
A Marubo woman wearing traditional headdress
The four of us are ushered to sit on a log facing the elders and, like chiefs from a visiting tribe, face them as though we are about to start discussions on a peace truce or something equally important.
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