Amazonian people risk their lives so that a snake will love them

Tapi Shaman Wind opens her arms 
to embrace the Great Anaconda in the Sky
Photos by Persephone Bolero-Trenton

By Persephone Bolero-Trenton

AMAZON — The natives of the Amazon are known for their deep faith. There is not a twig, rock or leaf they won’t worship, and that includes all the animals of the Amazon — rodents, reptiles and insects alike. In this tradition, members of the Amazon community Saturday performed a series of challenges in order to gain the approval of a snake.

 

Eve Heartsong, who has loved so many snakes,
arrived to the event on her palanquin. 

"To survive the anaconda and these symbolic tests is to be reborn. Those who succeed are embraced by its spirit, ready to take on greater roles in the jungle,” Tapirape Shaman Whispering Wind intoned before the faithful set about proving their worth to a snake. 

A devotee of all things that slither, Wind organized Saturday’s event so that others may also bask in the blessings of the Great Anaconda in the Sky. According to sources, Atan, Micke, Stella and Summer also helped make the day happen. 

Penelope Siren Song skitters over barrels
as a hungry crocodile hopes for a snack

The four challenges tested the snake lovers’ cunning, patience, agility, knowledge and balance. One challenge had them drop from a zip line onto a small raft in the crocodile-infested waters north of the Tapirape camp. Another challenge had them answering riddles to show they had the wisdom needed to make the spirit snake smile. Another challenge had them running across canoes and barrels to reach the safety of small island.

 

Bertha Mae Ruby sails gracefully down a zip line,
shouting "For the Anaconda!"

“Though heavy, the snake glides with grace,” Wind told the crowd of dozens who had come to show their worthiness. “The trials teach you to move the same — slow when needed, swift when it strikes.”

Once completed, each challenge came with a prize, which included jewelry and precious stones. And any participant that completed at least one trial was allowed to join in the great snake dance. This was the native version of a conga line, but with a cool snake panel. 

 

Glowing with snake love, the faithful danced 
for the Anaconda

 

The indubitably handsome Leslie Trenton
savors a tequila while watching the contests 

 

Shui scratches his head struggling 
to answer a riddle for the Great Anaconda.

 

Summer braves the elements as she 
darts over slippery stumps. 

Eve's butt 

Silvia of the Xoco takes top prize in Fight Club using clothing iron to clobber her opponents

 

Silvia, the warrior-maid, displays her war face.

Photos by Persephone Bolero-Trenton

 

By Persephone Bolero-Trenton

AMAZON — Silvia Mertel of the Xoco tribe on Saturday proved that a woman can be strong and keep her laundry wrinkle-free. The Xoco warrior brought home the champion’s trophy in a battle among the Amazon’s top fighters.

The contestants used a variety of weapons to vie for the top prize, including whips, knives and batons. Mertel, however, used a clothing iron to sail to victory.

“Darn, I need a beer!” the battling laundress declared when she was announced as the champion of the event.

 

Sunisa Minoptra, the organizer of Saturday's event.

 

The event was organized by Sunisa Minoptra, a Xoco, alleged police officer, and proprietress of Suni’s Bar. Minoptra not only laid out clear and organized rules for the contestants to follow, she conducted dozens of orderly matches. She also competed herself in the event using a police baton. 

Saturday’s victory was not the first for Mertel. She also won the annual Dia De Los Muertos Fight Club in November. More recently, she was judged to have the most attractive backside in the Amazon.

 

Trenton and Heartsong gave an encore competition.

Leslie Trenton was among the fighters who entered the ring Saturday. A skilled aviator, Trenton has navigated many bushes in his time as a pilot. His adventures flying vital supplies to the hungry in Africa, where war lords sought to control supply chains, left him scars across his body.

 

Trenton kicks Beda in his Tapi head.

 

In Saturday’s Fight Club, Trenton fought primarily using techniques in various types of martial arts. He kicked and punched, while deftly avoiding his opponents’ blows.

Trenton lost many of the matches he entered, including a wrestling match against Eve Heartsong, First Lady of Libertad. But many in the audience, including his adoring wife, agreed he showed some of the most graceful moves of all the contestants. 

Trenton showing off
his superior form. 

Trenton going for the jugular.

In some matches, Trenton
fought without weapons.

The scars Trenton received in 
past conflicts were clearly visible.

Trenton drew much blood in the fights.

Trenton gazes with his beautiful, 
sad, blue eyes as his adoring wife
captures the action in the ring.

Lovely Shui battled with a whip. 

Catten of the Tapi fought with an axe. 

Another view of Catten.