Amazon River Sun: Natives welcome the solstice with prayers to Inti, stick burning, and finger sandwiches

Xoco Chieftess Khaing Zar in ritual costume
Photos by Persephone Bolero-Trenton

By Persephone Bolero-Trenton

AMAZON — Another day, another god to worship. The Xoco and associated tribes Sunday celebrated the solstice Sunday with a tribute to god No. 4571, Inti Raymi.

The natives gathered at Gallivant’s clearing, many dressed in red robes and golden headdresses resembling flames. Some held signs bearing images of the sun god. From there, the natives marched south toward Turtle Beach. The parade then took the tunnels to the Xoco camp and climbed up to the Xocos’ sacred temple in the hills overlooking their home.

Handsome Shui cosplayed the sun god, Inti

Though experts widely believe our jungle community lies north of the equator, Xoco Chieftess Khaing Zar declared the day to be a celebration of the winter solstice and offered Inti a prayer using direct quotes from the Bible.

“Xoco sisters, amigas, amigos and all gathered here at this special occasion of Inti Raymi at the winter solstice — to everything there’s a season, a time for every purpose under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and to gather what’s planted, a time to destroy and a time to heal, a time to break and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” the chieftess intoned.

Alli Setner in a feathered headdress

Xoco priestess Diana Fawcett joined in with the prayer, thanking this Inti fellow for “loaning” us to each other. “And we take life in your painting us, and we breathe in your singing us. But only for so short a while have you loaned us to each other. So we thank you,” Fawcett said.

Xoco member Asia Milena shows her sunny faith

After the prayers, the Xoco handed out finger sandwiches, which they called “corn food.” These meager snacks would, according to the Xoco, grant those who partook of the offerings strength directly from Inti himself.

Then, everyone got drunk on rum and danced with flaming sticks, because no native religious ritual is complete without hangovers and second-degree burns.