93
hoarse cry, announces to the Toba (Qom) that someone will become ill by a spell
(Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 92). Ceaseless singing for several days of the Goldengreen Woodpecker (Piculus chysochlorus),
48
announces bad luck for the Toba
(Qom) mariscadores (local name for gatherers and hunters of small animals)
(Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 95). The cry of the Grey-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides
cajanea)
49
indicates death by stabbing or by shamanic ‘harm’ among the Toba
(Qom) (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 99). For the Moqoit peoples, when the
Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) or Kichiguiguít cries strangely for several
nights next to a house, it forebodes illness or sadness for some of its inhabitants.
If the same is done by the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), Kotelala’ in Moqoit,
it announces a disgrace as disease or death (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 107).
Martínez-Crovetto (1995: 106–107) also points out that among the Toba (Qom),
the strange behaviour close to dwellings of the Tropical Screech-Owl (Otus
choliba)
50
and the Stygian Owl (Asio stygius) announces the proximity of death.
The Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira) or Nachororó is considered a foreteller of misfortunes for the Moqoit (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 119), but according to Terán
(1998b: 249), the song of this bird also prompts reconciliation between separated
Moqoit couples, especially in April with the arrival of the cold weather. According
to this author (Martínez- Crovetto, 1995: 19), the cry of the Common Potoo,
Kapáp in Moqoit, announces misfortune if close to houses, but if in the forest, it
means the bird is fulfilling its function of ‘owner’ of the fruits of the bush and bird
chicks (Terán, 1995: 19). The nightly song of the Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga
ani),
51
similar to a female cry, forewarns the Toba (Qom) of the death of a spouse
(Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 119–120) and it is thought of as the assistant of a
‘witch’ (Arenas, 2003: 396).
Several other animals are extensively referred to as señas. Martínez-Crovetto
(1995: 35) mentions that the granular toad (Bufo granulosus), Nedép Lapaqaté en
Moqoit, announces floods with a croak ‘like a cornet’. The song or sight in the paths
of the two-colour common oval frog (Elachistocleis ovalis bicolor) means the same
for the Toba (Qom) (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 35).
52
Likewise, the sight of army
ants (Eciton sp.) or Layor-r’ái Lalóq, foretells rain for the Moqoit (MartínezCrovetto, 1995: 79), or a move for the Toba (Qom) if invading a dwelling’s patio
(yard). Coming across a painted coral snake (Micrurus corallinus, M. frontales),
53
would advise, for the Toba (Qom), of the encounter with a beautiful girl (MartínezCrovetto, 1995: 31).
48 Oí’ in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
49 Shelkáik lemík in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
50 Kolr’olkóq in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
51 Nawí in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
52 Tok naló in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
53 Yigué’ in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
Signs, Not Phenomena: Moqoit Cosmo-politics and Alternative Experiences…
hoarse cry, announces to the Toba (Qom) that someone will become ill by a spell
(Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 92). Ceaseless singing for several days of the Goldengreen Woodpecker (Piculus chysochlorus),
48
announces bad luck for the Toba
(Qom) mariscadores (local name for gatherers and hunters of small animals)
(Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 95). The cry of the Grey-necked Wood-Rail (Aramides
cajanea)
49
indicates death by stabbing or by shamanic ‘harm’ among the Toba
(Qom) (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 99). For the Moqoit peoples, when the
Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) or Kichiguiguít cries strangely for several
nights next to a house, it forebodes illness or sadness for some of its inhabitants.
If the same is done by the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), Kotelala’ in Moqoit,
it announces a disgrace as disease or death (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 107).
Martínez-Crovetto (1995: 106–107) also points out that among the Toba (Qom),
the strange behaviour close to dwellings of the Tropical Screech-Owl (Otus
choliba)
50
and the Stygian Owl (Asio stygius) announces the proximity of death.
The Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira) or Nachororó is considered a foreteller of misfortunes for the Moqoit (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 119), but according to Terán
(1998b: 249), the song of this bird also prompts reconciliation between separated
Moqoit couples, especially in April with the arrival of the cold weather. According
to this author (Martínez- Crovetto, 1995: 19), the cry of the Common Potoo,
Kapáp in Moqoit, announces misfortune if close to houses, but if in the forest, it
means the bird is fulfilling its function of ‘owner’ of the fruits of the bush and bird
chicks (Terán, 1995: 19). The nightly song of the Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga
ani),
51
similar to a female cry, forewarns the Toba (Qom) of the death of a spouse
(Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 119–120) and it is thought of as the assistant of a
‘witch’ (Arenas, 2003: 396).
Several other animals are extensively referred to as señas. Martínez-Crovetto
(1995: 35) mentions that the granular toad (Bufo granulosus), Nedép Lapaqaté en
Moqoit, announces floods with a croak ‘like a cornet’. The song or sight in the paths
of the two-colour common oval frog (Elachistocleis ovalis bicolor) means the same
for the Toba (Qom) (Martínez-Crovetto, 1995: 35).
52
Likewise, the sight of army
ants (Eciton sp.) or Layor-r’ái Lalóq, foretells rain for the Moqoit (MartínezCrovetto, 1995: 79), or a move for the Toba (Qom) if invading a dwelling’s patio
(yard). Coming across a painted coral snake (Micrurus corallinus, M. frontales),
53
would advise, for the Toba (Qom), of the encounter with a beautiful girl (MartínezCrovetto, 1995: 31).
48 Oí’ in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
49 Shelkáik lemík in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
50 Kolr’olkóq in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
51 Nawí in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
52 Tok naló in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
53 Yigué’ in Moqoit, according to Martínez-Crovetto.
Signs, Not Phenomena: Moqoit Cosmo-politics and Alternative Experiences…