…con profunda gratitud a la Madre de Ayu...
In December 2017, I was invited to visit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region of Colombia for an intimate spiritual gathering, which included an art exhibition and eight days of indigenous ceremonies with Muisca, Huitoto and Wiwa elders as part of an unfolding new sacred agreement with the Earth. Throughout these ceremonies, the indigenous Colombians were chewing sacred coca leaves and they were generous in sharing this with us, the international visitors. Among many beautiful and profound teachings there was a quiet surprise: the arrival, during the ceremonies at night, of very subtle visions, in shades of green, silver and gold.
It was as if a delicate path – a caminito, a little road – into the heart of the forest was opening up to me. I knew I wouldn't be in Colombia for very long, and in the retreat for only eight days, so I paid close attention to this beautiful caminito gift. These visions were the inspiration for my Coca Seeds series of artworks. Truly these eight days of ceremonies, nine nights of togetherness, in the pristine forests of Colombia were a life-changing experience for me, and one for which I will remain ever grateful and overjoyed.
On my return home to Britain, I continued to sit ceremony with the plant, and one day, when I went for a long walk into the countryside, I noticed that songs were spontaneously coming to me. I began to quietly sing them. Some of them were just fragments, but three grew into songs, and I present them here, as a little ceremony to honour the mother of this most sacred plant.
:: Introduction ::
|
my path with you but my heart is open (por la madre de ayu) |
mi camino contigo pero mi corazón está abierto (por la madre de ayu) |
:: La Madre de la Luz ::
The Mother of the Light The Mother of the Plant The Mother of the Waters The Mother of the Leaves The Mother of Coca |
La Madre de la Luz La Madre de la Planta La Madre de las Aguas La Madre de las Hojas La Madre de Ayu |
:: Ayuzule (Seeds of Coca ~ Semillas de la Coca) ::
Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule |
Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule Ayuzule |
:: The Coca and the Hummingbird ::
I am one with the Coca and the Hummingbird I am one with the ocean and the hills and the trees I am one with the Coca and the Hummingbird… I am one with the Mother on the mountain in the sky I am one with the Coca and the Hummingbird… I am one with the Mother dwelling deep in the Earth I am one with the Coca and the Hummingbird… I am one with the Mother in the water who sings I am one with the Coca and the Hummingbird… I am one with my death and on the day I will end I am one with the Coca and the Hummingbird… |
Soy uno con la coca y el colibrí Soy uno con el océano y las colinas y los árboles Soy uno con la coca y el colibrí... Soy uno con la Madre en la montaña en el cielo Soy uno con la coca y el colibrí... Soy uno con la Madre que vive en la Tierra Soy uno con la coca y el colibrí... Soy uno con la Madre en el agua que canta Soy uno con la coca y el colibrí... Soy uno con mi muerte y el día en que terminaré Soy uno con la coca y el colibrí... |
:: Saminchaq Wasin (House of Offering ~ Casa de Ofrenda) ::
| Corazon de Coca Mamachaq wasin Kokapa Sonqo Samipa wasin Samiyuq kanki Santuyuq wasin Saminchata ñoqa Phukuchkani arí! |
Heart of Coca House of the Mother Coca of Sonqo (Heart) House of sami You are full of sami You are truly holy I blow a samincha offering I blow phukuy, yes! |
Corazón de Coca |
