East meets west, again


Gonzalo and Derrick talk about snakes, snakes and more snakes, the magic involved, and the universe at large. Gonzalo had offered to heal the three students from a mild bug the first few days. He interpreted their bad dreams and disease as one: 'Travel to a new land and the enemy awaits you. Here, the enemy is the snake Mawadi, the Anaconda, the embodiment of ill-reputed spirits. If you dream of a lover, the snake will pounce. If you dream of snakes, a new lover hides in ambush'. Other villagers soon reminded us: 'It is one thing to know about snakes, another is to know how to live with them...' The next night a deadly Lancehead (Bothrops atrox) was found in the village at night and promptly dealt with. ‘We cannot forgive snakes so they must die. They are the ultimate danger, more than malaria, than any, any other disease.’ -Chief Isaias.

Image (c) Val Druguet. Posted by Picasa