Chief Mede
Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Tue 3 Nov 2015 23:57
|
We Scramble to Visit Chief
Mede
 This looks like
fun.
 A
bit closer, Donald told us we were heading top left.
Rightee-oh then.
  I get the best veiw, oh give
me a break. Onward and upward.
  And
there I was with Bear just
behind me.
 I
told Donald that the locals would have had a hard job getting me up here.
Needless to say an exchange followed that didn’t meet with my approval – Donald
got the ‘stop a speeding train look’ through narrowed
eyes. He laughed when I told him he was not too big to go across me knee and he
had the grace to lean back when threatened, this would be sorted at ground
level..............back to the business at hand.
 Chief Mede, two of his wives and important
family members. These are direct ancestors of Chief Jason and he comes
here when he needs help with big issues in the village, finding a bumper yield
of lobster or crabs, crop survival to harvest and for strength to do his duties
well.
 We
were both amazed and humbled to be allowed this visit.
 We
were impressed by the good condition of the teeth,
not a cavity in sight.
 We
had a good look at the skulls and could see evidence
of arthritis and wear in some of the long bones.
 We
began our descent and saw the track back – did we
???
  All
we can say is a huge thank you for the strength of this banyan tree and her
incredible roots.
 We
set off for the village. What a lovely
setting.
 It
was a bit of a wet ride back to the village but the
water was a lovely blue.
 I
loved the rock in the middle of the picture, I saw a
face and a great hair do.
 As
we approached the entrance to the river Donald pointed away to our right, toward the left of the picture, beyond the
first row of bushes is the village cemetery – on tomorrows list. Tired and very
thirsty, Donald invited us
for kaikai, with Lota and the children I requested. It is customary for guests
to sit at table, alone to eat, the family eating later. I asked if we could be
together, a good compromise is us at the table and the family on the benches or
floor. That brought another huge smile, Donald liked that idea very much.
ALL IN ALL A UNIQUE WAY TO
PAY MY RESPECTS
I FELT VERY HONOURED TO BE INVITED INTO THE LOCAL
CULTURE |