Deatta ta Jiu... Day of the Jiu
Today we celebrate the Jiu, those who pledged themselves to the Deities of Diopray instead of facing Halluca or Prövitos. All the people gathered in the Communal Clearing to join the festivities.
The celebrations began at sunrise with beautiful dances from five young women who had recently faced their Halluca and five Kuna who had been initiated the year prior. The dances symbolised purity, honesty, loyalty, trust and fertility; they also were meant to invoke these qualities.
The Dxarun, servants of Dxarha, Goddess of Chastity and Community, artistically prepared feasts.
At noon, the Migga, healers and defenders of the village who serve the God Migotalitor, acted their battle-dance with the Kuna. One army wore Daemon masks; the other wore paint upon their faces, hands and feet.
When evening came, it was the turn of the Noixan, those who pledged themselves to Noixa, Goddess of Night, Beauty and Death.
They held parades in beautiful clothing and then a contest. A number of Noixan and a handful of girls and other Jiu volunteered. The one deemed most beautiful would be offered to Noixa, and to conclude the celebrations, the Blood of Noixa would be painted onto the faces of everyone who attended.
