A week ago on Sunday, I was invited by Wil´s family to attend a 9 days after death event. The closest thing that I can compare it to is a wake. The only wakes that I have attended have been Tribal wakes on the reservation, with singing, prayers, and food.
I rode the metro out to the last stop. Michael picked me up there and we rode on his motorcycle to the event. It was at Punta, the place where I met several of Wil´s cousins a few weeks back. It had poured right when I got out of the car to enter the metro station, so I was literally soaked from head to toe. But, thankfully, it didn´t rain when we were on the motorcycle.
It was actually a really nice ride. It was probably 10-20 minutes, but it was nice. Michael was very careful and didn´t go too fast. We arrived and there were several tarps up over a small street. Under the tarps there were two tables of dominoes going on and a bunch of chairs and people. Then, Michael pointed to the house where his mom was preparing food, singing and praying. I didn´t go all the way in the house. I could see there was a beautifully decorated table with streamers, ribbons, photos, and other memorabilia displayed. It seemed to be mostly women in the two rooms of the house that I could see. The men seemed to be outside, and some women too.
I had only been there a few minutes when it started to pour again. The tarps leaked, water ran in, part of the tarp fell down. We got it resecured, but a lot of the chairs were wet. It was funny to watch one table of dominoes play right through since they weren´t getting very wet. One table folded however. Pretty soon, one of Wil´s cousins offered me food. She took me over to sit by her brother, Wilkins (father of adorable Wilby), while I ate. The food was delicious. I tasted chin chin for the first time. It is sort of like a dense, moist corn bread. Wonderful!
Then Michael found me and we went walking around. We ended up at an aunt´s house, where several members of his family were gathered. His mom and aunt were getting ready. I took some pictures of the family.
Two of Wil´s brothers, Yunedy and Yolffi at right, two cousins at left.
I had asked Wilkins about Wilby while I had lunch. He brought him over to see me at the aunt´s house.
Wilby took this photo of Wil´s dad.
Wilby likes to salute the boss. We tease each other by calling each other the boss.
Wil´s mom and little brother Yolffi.
One of Wil´s uncles, or as they say here, husband of his aunt.
Wilkins and Wilby on a motorcycle.
Wil´s favorite aunt, Morena. She is holding one of her nephews. Wil lived with her for two years before coming to The U.S.
Two of Wilkins´sisters, and his daughter, Walky.
Wilkins´wife and sister ham it up for the camera.
Wil´s mom, second from left, and three of her sisters. I think that is all of her sisters. One of her brothers was there that day as well, but he wasn´t around for the photo.
Wil´s cousins again! They all really loved the camera once I got it out!All in all it was a nice day and interesting to see another culture and their rituals around death.
2 comments:
it is nice to see photos of some of the important people in wilman's life! you didn't talk much about the wake, what was it like?
miss you homes.
well, I pretty much said all that I witnessed. The women, mostly, were in the house sitting around the table that had the photos, memorabilia on it. They sang songs and said prayers. Then, sort of abruptly to me, they started cleaning up. They took the tarps down, moved the items off of the table, and took the table out.
Sorry I don't have more details.
miss you too, and I mean it!!!
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