Shuar
mythology
For
the Shuar people of Ecuador each being, each thing has its "wkan",
its spirit. For them something that is only material can not exist:
each tree or animal is considered to be a being, with a unique,
individual spirit. There isn't a clear order or hierarchy, or
even separation of the animal, plant and mineral kingdoms.
It
is not unusual for a Shuar, while walking through the jungle,
to enter into a conversation or to direct a word to a bird or
even a tree. They may chastise the plant or animal, give it advice
or just joke around with it. Each form of life has its reason
to exist, so the Shuar have a conscious respect for the environment;
also motivated by personal interest, since they know very well
that without this environment, life for them would be impossible.
A
lesson we could all do well to learn.
