One day white girl in the jungle

You can leave the jungle, but the jungle will never leave you.

Alina Semenova, journalist:

For two months I lived in the jungle of Peru, in the yet touched by the civilization of the National Park Mana, which extends 17 163 km². It was a commune from young Peruvians who left the achievements of the industrial world and settled in the jungle with the representatives of the Machinese tribe. An old shaman named Melshor, who has the widest knowledge of Selva medicinal plants, lived with us, he treated anywhere who appealed to him for help. I learned to prepare wild boar meat soup, I got used to the fact that Jaguar wanders next to the tent among the night and there are no phones, TVs – only jungle.

They call themselves Machina, that in their language means "real people". At the meeting, they do not ask: "How are you?", And ask the question:" You are here?"(Anyai Uir?") – And look into your eyes, as if watching, really you are here, with them, or your spirit wanders in another place, and here is only the body.

Most Machyrene ceased to follow the ancient traditions of their people – they try to live in cities and speak Spanish. But there are such that, on the contrary, went to the jungle even further in order not to contact with civilization.

– I found the lapse prints of Jaguar at the river, where I’m at night.

– ha ha! – laughed old shaman – this is my friend!

– And how can I find out if Jaguar thinks me with his friend? – just in case I asked me

My tent stands at the river, 60 meters from me – a house on stilts with a family of Makhireng tribe. The river is called Teparo due to the numerous turtles of the species of Teparo, which is inhabited here. In addition to the turtles, my neighbors are Cat (something like small raccots), Uangana (wild pigs), tapir, capybaras and jaguar. The first days at night was scared: the whole Selva (the jungle here is called here) comes to life and filled with thousands of unfamiliar sounds. Sometimes large animals approached the tent and I lay a little breathe. Run early at dawn, I decided to cross the river and examined the shore – suddenly I will find the handprints of my night visitors. Right on the opposite bank of the river, I found the tracks of the jaguar of the medium size – exactly like a domestic cat, only five times more.

– I probably, it is better not to go out at night from the tent? – I asked the local shaman.

– Why? – Surprised TOT.

– I found the lapse prints of Jaguar at the river, where I’m at night.

– ha ha! – laughed old shaman – this is my friend!

– And how can I find out if Jaguar thinks me with his friend? – just in case I asked me.

Then the old Machirovna looked into the distance and replied:

– Everything here, in the jungle, subordinate to one strength, the Spirit of Selva sees all your thoughts, feelings, actions. And if you are at the same time with the forest, then he protects you and leads, and Jaguar becomes your faithful defender, guarding you like a dog. And if you are unclean in thoughts and in the heart, then yes, it is worth the fear of Jaguar!

For example, a pair tree grows that "stand-up-stand" is translated from Spanish, and, according to the expression of old Machining, after receiving this tree, any man "will get up quickly and firmly"

The river also contained small Caimans, but also, from the words of the old shaman, it was not worth fear. "Since these crocodiles are hunting only at night, and in the afternoon they sleep," he explained. And indeed, never once did not see the day of Cayman. The only danger from which I warned the Old Machining is an electric river scat, flat fish, looking at a stone, but with a long poisonous spike. "Her poison is paralyzed instantly, and you can’t move, and then the pain permeates," he explained and immediately added: – Although it’s not deadly. ".

Machirovenga do not use medicines, do not go through hospitals. But they have good health, they are full of vital energy and joyful. Their pharmacy – Selva with thousands of medicinal herbs and trees. There are plants from any ailments, only you need to know how to use them. For example, a pair tree grows that "stand-up-stand" is translated from Spanish, and, according to the expression of old Machining, after receiving this tree, any man "will get up quickly and firmly".

And if a person has no energy or the power of the will, the Tree of Chuchuaisi will help. For any case in the rural there are plants that can help and heal, remove emotional pain, make a person strong and healthy. Although, of course, for this you need to be able to get along with them, because each plant has their own spirit and should be treated with respect and attention.

Jungle transform. It happened to the Catholic priest Hibin Hyteras, who went to Sello to pay backwards of the Indians in a true faith, and as a result, broke with the past and became Shaman (here is his interview).

Once the neighbors brought me ears and part of Tapiol’s head, saying that you can cook the boiling broth. Broth taste turned out to be excellent, with indescribable aroma and taste. Only as it turned out, this meat can be very toxic and causes blood infection

Machinenga is only 50 years old in contact with the outside world. The tribe feeds in Yukoy, bananas, fishing fish and hunting. The most exotic dish that I eaten with them – Tapir soup. Once the neighbors brought me ears and part of Tapiol’s head, saying that you can cook the boiling broth. Broth taste turned out to be excellent, with indescribable aroma and taste. Only as it turned out, this meat can be very toxic and causes blood infection. I have been sick for several days and therefore I do not advise anyone to eat this exotic.

My favorite dish was the river fish from the jungle, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on coal. I also loved the smoked palm worms, very juicy to taste, do not compare them with any meat of a large animal. Moreover, they are so satisfying that three sores thick in a centimeter is enough to cope with hunger. But I was especially surprised by the local delicacy – a woody beetle. This is a small insect of 3 cm in length that feeds on fruit. Once Melshor caught such a beetle when he only got out of a banana after his meal.

– This is the most delicious! – explained Melshor and with undisguised pleasure ate a beetle. – He himself is delicious, and when it still beats the bananas, so generally turns into a delicacy.