More of our day with the Embera Indians

fire  pit in hut on stilts

Lunch in a banana leaf

Kaiden and his new tatoo

steps up to the hut - guests are welcome the steps are pointing up

Our day with the Emberas was far from over. After lunch we got to wander around the village - Kaiden had a quick few minutes of soccer with the kids and we got to look closer at the huts.  Two women asked if we would like henna tattoos and of course we said yes - I was so busy watching Kadien get his that I had not realized that the one on my arm was over 4" and it was semi permanent which means that for the next 2 weeks my arm looked like I was a hippie biker babe!!!
  Then it was time for the demonstration of ceremonial dancing.

getting ready for his tattoo

Kaiden was not thrilled to be dancing

Home made teeter toter

The women and girls went first - they did a kind of hopping around the center pole of the main  hut while the men played whistles and drums.  They showed us several dances and then grabbed Kaiden and pulled him into the dance circle - he was not overly thrilled but went along with it  and round and round the pole they went. Of course we had time to shop before leaving and I could not resist  one of the plates- there were hundreds to choose from but one gal in particular used much brighter colors but choosing one was so hard.
All too soon it was time to crawl back into the canoe and leave. They  all gathered together for one final farewell picture and then picked up their musical instruments and bid us farewell.

Women showing us traditional dances

One last group picture

canoe in the making

The day was so much fun and what a great glimpse into  a very different way of life.  I asked our guide on the way home how they really felt about tourist interrupting their lives.  It has to be strange to have to put on a show like they do time after time,  He admitted that some were not happy with it - but the tourist dollars that are brought in is too important to their survival.  The tribe we went to visit is not the one that the cruise ships take their passengers as there can be over a hundred people there at one time depending on how many ships are in port. They lead a simple life - most of their time is spent gathering food ( fishing etc) and making the crafts that they sell.  I asked about marriage and with a small tribe etc how did they find spouses and he said they did several times a year have gatherings of several tribes and matches are made that way.
The canoe trip back is a transition between two worlds - I am not sure I could live quite that simply - but I think it would be interesting to try it for a few days.  Can't say I would follow in the native dress - or undress- but actually living it for a couple of days would be enlightening - maybe next year?

caving

Our cook for lunch and her little one

The school