BajaNomad - Two Pericu Leaders

Two Pericu Leaders

bajalera - 6-28-2008 at 03:43 PM

Native leaders were often easy for the Jesuits to identify. The crowd of naked Indians who suddenly came rushing toward Padre Ignacio Napoli, as he strolled along the shores of the Ensenada de las Palmas in 1721, was led by a tall, fleshy man with very long mustaches, whose body was painted black.

Wearing a headdress of deer tails and colored feathers, he was shouting to high heaven and making gestures the missionary described as "insolent." Napoli thought he looked like a devil.

Never one of the braver missionaries, Napoli didn't know what to do, so he said a few words of Pericu, and made signs he hoped would be taken as friendly. The man calmed down after being presented with two knives.

He and his companions followed Napoli back to the tents of little mission expedition, where they were given cooked corn, hats, blankets, and loin cloths. The Indians stayed the night at the encampment.

The next day, natives began arriving in large groups--Napoli estimated 500 in all--and were given glass beads and red ribbons. In return, they presented the missionary with gifts he didn't describe.

Later, another Indian leader appeared, wearing very well-made deerskins painted in several colors, and accompanied by a little court of ladies-in-waiting. This one also approached with horrible cries, which were "uttered with admirable dignity and authority"--but this made Napoli and the soldiers laugh.

For this Indian leader [gasp!] was a woman.

Napoli noticed that all the other Indians--even the man with the impressive mustache--treated the woman with great respect, "as if she were a queen." Later, they told him she was the governor in charge of their region.

She accepted the missionary's gifts, and in return her ladies brought him animal hides and "rosary beads" [perhaps small dried berries]. The woman ordered everyone to come to a feast at her rancheria, where they were provided with more food than they could eat.

References:
Miguel del Barco, Historia natural de la antigua california
Carlos Lazcano Sahagun, La primera entrada

[Edited on 6-28-2008 by bajalera]

woody with a view - 6-28-2008 at 10:25 PM

"as if she were a queen."

perhaps the reina, CALAFIA? :?:

i wish i could spend enough time "down there" to be able to shed some light on the goings-on. Bia and i have some great friends in areas of no-ones interest, that tell stories to rival all others....someday i hope to add my gringo slant to them, that a scholar will run with it.

after all, it is a special place, where time has radically screeched to a halt.......

BTW, do you see an object in the landscape? seems like an errant image from a lost alien race!

can you say, "nasca lines?" :?:

[Edited on 6-29-2008 by woody in ob]

100_3124 (Small).jpg - 39kB

David K - 6-29-2008 at 07:15 AM

The early history of thw Santiago mission is interesting as much as it is mysterious... From the shores of Los Barriles (Bahia de las Palmas/ Ensenada de las Palmas) to the mountains (Real de Santa Ana) to the banks of the Santiago river (2 miles north from today's town)... then the final site was either where today's town church is, or a few miles south in Caduaño (depends on which historian you read).

Site north of town (Photo by Jack Swords)...

1919 photo of final site...

[Edited on 6-29-2008 by David K]

Mexitron - 6-29-2008 at 09:24 AM

Thanks for showing that spot Woody--been by it a bunch of times but never saw the "object"...perhaps I need a few more shots of Tequila to properly focus!

Interesting post Lera, thanks...and maybe that was one of the Calafians.

Von - 6-29-2008 at 09:37 AM

Hard to believe this all happen in Ensenada all you find find if you dig is

Doritos plastic bags.....

This wuz happening all during leras --

beercan - 6-29-2008 at 12:18 PM

childhood. She must be having flash backs!!! :tumble:

bajalera - 6-29-2008 at 12:55 PM

Right, Buttcan.

And if you were smarter, you'd be worried about the Dire Curse of the Pericu, which I intend to lay on you as soon as I can find the cape covered with tresses of human hair that they gave me when I became a shaman.

Ever since I turned 387, I keep forgetting where I left the dang thing.

lera, I'm smart enuf to have raised

beercan - 6-29-2008 at 04:26 PM

3 great kids. All are successful along with their mates and I have 8 wonderful Grand Kids---
They all, including my son-in-law , followed in my footsteps, and are currently operating the Companies that I gave them --they earned it !! There are some who may say that they could top my achievements, but I will put my family up against any !!

Is that smart nuf fer yew ?? I may be from the South, but I don't believe in "black magic"or "spells" either .

Watch Out They Gonna Puts a Spell on Ya, Mon.

MrBillM - 6-29-2008 at 05:54 PM

Generally, I believe that anyone who believes in curses and spells isn't very bright, but I saw a recent Supreme court video clip this a.m. and it reminded me that the ugly witch in the bunch has been something of a curse.

RBG was a Bowser when Willie put her on the court but, with age, she has turned into one of the ugliest old crones I've ever seen.

Somehow, given her politics, it's appropriate.

She MIGHT be able to cast a spell.

bajalera - 6-30-2008 at 10:47 AM

Congratulations on your parenting skills, Buttcan, you've done well.

How perceptive you are, BM, to have noticed that Justice Ruth Ginsberg is not pretty.

Now, just how do those splendidly informative posts relate to a thread on Pericu leaders?

Dem Dar Supernaturals

MrBillM - 6-30-2008 at 05:43 PM

I was just relating to Aborigines and the Occult putting spells on people.

I do believe that some witches might be able to do so.

Ruth Bowser Gingivitis just happened to be the witch I had seen most recently.

Other than that, I'm sure that the Pericus were great folks. Phil Sheridan would have liked them so I guess I would too.

[Edited on 7-1-2008 by MrBillM]

bancoduo - 6-30-2008 at 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beercan
3 great kids. All are successful along with their mates and I have 8 wonderful Grand Kids---
They all, including my son-in-law , followed in my footsteps, and are currently operating the Companies that I gave them --they earned it !! There are some who may say that they could top my achievements, but I will put my family up against any !!

Is that smart nuf fer yew ?? I may be from the South, but I don't believe in "black magic"or "spells" either .

What a guy! They inherited your slots at the flea market, selling foot fungus oil.

[Edited on 7-1-2008 by bancoduo]