89
Rosa storm—it surfaces again (Terán, 1998b: 246–247). The fork-tailed flycatcher
(Tyrannus savana) goes ‘north with the sun’ in the winter and returns in the summer
(Terán, 1998b: 248).
Arenas (2003: 188) mentions that among the Toba (Qom), the appearance of the
white monjita (Xolmis irupero)
33
is a sign of the arrival of the cold season. According
to the Tobas (Qom) (Arenas, 2003: 189), the rhea (Rhea americana),
34
the pampa’s
fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus),
35
and the chalk-browed mockingbird (Mimus
saturninus)
36
also emit characteristic cries in this season.
For the Toba (Qom), the song of the laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cachinans)
37
in August, marks the beginning of the north wind season and therefore the lack of
water (Arenas, 2003: 191–192). It coincides with the laying of the rhea and the
Chaco chachalaca eggs (Ortalis canicollis).
38
9 Señas, Leaders and Decisions
When speaking of the leaders of old, it is frequent to hear mentions of their ability
to see and interpret señas and communicate with different ‘helpers’ or ‘companions’, both during wakefulness and sleep, who advised them of the closeness of
game or enemies. The Qom leader Nachicyi or Juan Zorrilla said the following,
speaking to Orlando Sánchez about his father
39
:
My father was a great shaman (natural doctor), quintessential seer, he knew all the secrets
of white men, even the most concealed of nature and human beings, of everything that happens abnormally and events in relation to strange people, and bad intentions were revealed
to him, nothing was hidden from him. (Sánchez, 2009: 320–321)
An account of the Qom Máximo Jorge (Messineo & Dell’Arciprete, 2003: 29) mentions that the famous Qom leader Meguesoxochí had a little bird, called vi’ic, that
told him what would happen. The theme of the leader’s ‘companion’ animals, especially birds, but also jaguars and serpents, is recurrent in Guaycurú groups. These
animals are powerful beings associated with the leader. They provide him with
many of the attributes needed to conduct his people in difficult circumstances:
mainly, abilities to locate resources and detect approaching enemies. Terán mentions that the Toba (Qom) designate small, grey birds as messenger birds or viri
nolka (Terán, 1985: 11). They are also called the ‘Nowet birds’ and considered
33 Palr’olr’ó among the Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
34 Mañic for the Moqoit.
35 Nowar’air’a for the Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
36 Pi’xonaxa in Moqoit.
37 Kaoó’ in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
38 Qochiñí in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
39 Juan Zorrilla’s father, Dashiloqshy, was active during Meguesoxochí’s last days. He had a Moqoit
half-brother (Sánchez, 2009: 320–321).
Signs, Not Phenomena: Moqoit Cosmo-politics and Alternative Experiences…
Rosa storm—it surfaces again (Terán, 1998b: 246–247). The fork-tailed flycatcher
(Tyrannus savana) goes ‘north with the sun’ in the winter and returns in the summer
(Terán, 1998b: 248).
Arenas (2003: 188) mentions that among the Toba (Qom), the appearance of the
white monjita (Xolmis irupero)
33
is a sign of the arrival of the cold season. According
to the Tobas (Qom) (Arenas, 2003: 189), the rhea (Rhea americana),
34
the pampa’s
fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus),
35
and the chalk-browed mockingbird (Mimus
saturninus)
36
also emit characteristic cries in this season.
For the Toba (Qom), the song of the laughing falcon (Herpetotheres cachinans)
37
in August, marks the beginning of the north wind season and therefore the lack of
water (Arenas, 2003: 191–192). It coincides with the laying of the rhea and the
Chaco chachalaca eggs (Ortalis canicollis).
38
9 Señas, Leaders and Decisions
When speaking of the leaders of old, it is frequent to hear mentions of their ability
to see and interpret señas and communicate with different ‘helpers’ or ‘companions’, both during wakefulness and sleep, who advised them of the closeness of
game or enemies. The Qom leader Nachicyi or Juan Zorrilla said the following,
speaking to Orlando Sánchez about his father
39
:
My father was a great shaman (natural doctor), quintessential seer, he knew all the secrets
of white men, even the most concealed of nature and human beings, of everything that happens abnormally and events in relation to strange people, and bad intentions were revealed
to him, nothing was hidden from him. (Sánchez, 2009: 320–321)
An account of the Qom Máximo Jorge (Messineo & Dell’Arciprete, 2003: 29) mentions that the famous Qom leader Meguesoxochí had a little bird, called vi’ic, that
told him what would happen. The theme of the leader’s ‘companion’ animals, especially birds, but also jaguars and serpents, is recurrent in Guaycurú groups. These
animals are powerful beings associated with the leader. They provide him with
many of the attributes needed to conduct his people in difficult circumstances:
mainly, abilities to locate resources and detect approaching enemies. Terán mentions that the Toba (Qom) designate small, grey birds as messenger birds or viri
nolka (Terán, 1985: 11). They are also called the ‘Nowet birds’ and considered
33 Palr’olr’ó among the Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
34 Mañic for the Moqoit.
35 Nowar’air’a for the Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
36 Pi’xonaxa in Moqoit.
37 Kaoó’ in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
38 Qochiñí in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto (1995).
39 Juan Zorrilla’s father, Dashiloqshy, was active during Meguesoxochí’s last days. He had a Moqoit
half-brother (Sánchez, 2009: 320–321).
Signs, Not Phenomena: Moqoit Cosmo-politics and Alternative Experiences…