We Celebrated Taino Day of the Ancestors at the Verona Teaching Lodge Nov 3 2013

[Miguel Sague Jr]

Takaji My Relatives

A wonderful group of friends, both Natives and non-Natives gathered this evening at 5:00 PM, at the Verona Pennsylvania Teaching Lodge of the CANEY INDIGENOUS SPIRITUAL CIRCLE , our family home, to observe our Taino Day of the Ancestors ceremony for this year.

It was a real honor to again share with my 33-year spiritual brother Johnny Creed Coe, long-time Sun-Dancer of the Cherokee people, who has been on the red path for as long as I have. He brought his pipe case and sacredbuffalo skull.

I shared the ancient Taino sacred narrative of the ancestors, Yaya, Yayael,  Deminan, his brothers and the Turtle Mother. Then I passed our clay replica of the Deminan vase so that all the participants could see it close up.

We were also joined by other dear spiritual relatives. Both the family of Sol and Cherylann Shanti with their beautiful children, and  the family of Harold "Dog" and Emily RomanNose of the Cheyenne with their own beautiful kids share their sacred presence with us.  Several others joined us to contribute their spiritual energy too, including our fellow behike of over 30 years Bibi Tenanche Semiata Golden.

It was like rejoining with lots of old family as we honored our departed loved ones.

The ceremony was particularly poignant for my family and I because we took this opportunity to say our last good by to my mother, who passed away earlier this year.

It was very special for me to be able to share this important transition in our lives surrounded by good people.

Sol  was, as usual, invaluable in kindling and keeping the little guatu sacred fire going as we made the burnt offering of sacred objects representing our loved ones in the wooden bowl that floated on the small pool of water.

Tobacco was smoked in the form of a Cuban cigar as we offered our prayers to the semies and the jupias.

Jajom  and Bo Matun (Thank you) to all of those who made the trip out to our little family home this evening to sing and pray with us in honor of our ancestors. 

Seneko Kakona

Taino Ti

Miguel