GUARDIANS OF THE COSMOS: BANIWA SHAMANS AND PROPHETS

Humans are separated by culture diversity. Within this culture lies the different
religions that enshrined the traditions and practices which will astonish anyone. These
are treasures that have more value than gems and gold for it defines a very important
part of humanity. Our idea of morality, compassion and kindness are mostly anchored
in what we believe to what religion we belong. Many are praying for world peace, but
few understands that in order to achieve such harmony, one must practice empathy.

One must place his foot in someone’s shoes in order to fully comprehend him.
Unless one comprehend another you cannot really attain true peace, as the writer quoted
in this article, “one can only know “a little” by listening, watching and asking questions.
A lot is left to experience”.

It was a good piece of article to show the importance of knowing the culture by
learning their way and traditions, immersing oneself with the people and learning the
way of their gods and deities. The best way to connect is to study their religion, by
doing so, you find yourself in the midst of vast knowledge that you are not completely
aware of. It’s not only about the knowledge, it is also about experiencing a different
sense of morality and enlighten about life.

These are things that are not taught inside the four walls of a classroom. The
essence of being human. This might be one of the important pillars of world peace. We
need to start focusing on teaching the young generation about being emphatic. If we
want to truly attain such level of harmony, we must be able to love other people as we
love ourselves. Once we learned that we are created for the purpose of looking after
one another, we can now build communities that are centred in the idea of compassion
and understanding.

The Author clearly depicts the sense of empathy when he studied the culture of
the Baniwa Shamans. He knew from the beginning that he will become truly part of
them if he immerse himself with them, Eat with them, dance with them, stay in their
houses, learn their ways and live like them. Knowing their gods are simply like knowing
the people for he worship these gods lives the way this gods prescribes.

His article describes the life of shamans and their role in the community. They
live as prophets of the gods who were blessed and vested with all the knowledge and
power. Who can transform at will into animal spirits like the Black Panther. They are
strong and all-knowing for the gods finds favour in them.

They are seers who can foretold the plans of the heavens. They can tell what is
about to come and their strengths came from their gods.