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Shipibo Mythology
God created Bari, the Sun, and Use, the Moon, to always travel across the sky without ever having to meet. However, Bari once hastened his journey and managed to kiss Use. This passionate kiss was the source of the ancient forest dwellers. One evening, while Use was pregnant a terrible storm thundered across the skies and a flash of lightning cut her womb open. Seven children came down to earth, along a blazing staircase.These holy children discovered fire, invented arrows, taught men how to wisely use forest fruits and animals, and also how to make pottery. They spread throughout the rain forest and became the forefathers of all the existing Amazonian tribes. After leading very adventurous lives, these seven children started their journey back to the sky. Although they managed to overcome monumental obstacles, they were on the brink of death when their father Bari turned them all into shining stars.
Shipibos call this group of seven stars "Huishmabu." The solar Shipibo year is called Baritia, and it has twelve month periods. Their only calendar lies in the sky, they follow their forefathers' signals and can read the birth and death of the two tropical seasons in the constellations.
These constellations are painted from ancestral memories in Shipibo pottery and lovely embroidered textiles.
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