Benke

Beija-flor me chamou: olha
Lua branca chegou na hora
O Beija-Mar me deu prova:
Uma estrela bem nova
Na luminária da mata
Força que vem e renova

Beija-Flor de amor me leva
Como o vento levou a folha

Minha Mamãe soberana
Minha Floresta de jóia
Tu que dás brilho na sombra
Brilhas também lá na praia

Beija-Flor me mandou embora
Trabalhar e abrir os olhos

Estrela d’Água me molha
Tudo que ama e chora
Some na curva do rio
Tudo é dentro e fora
Minha Floresta de jóia

Tem a água
tem a água
tem aquela imensidão
tem sombra da Floresta
tem a luz do coração
Bem-querer!!!

* Essa canção é o nome de um curumim do povo Kampa e é dedicada a todos os curumins de todas as raças do mundo

translation:

Hummingbird called to me: look
White moon’s time has arrived
The ocean’s kiss gave me proof
A young star
In the light of the forest
Strength that comes and renews

Hummingbird of love take me
Like the wind took the leaf

My sovereign mother
My jeweled forest
You who gives light in the darkness
Also shines there upon the shore

Hummingbird sent me away
To work and open eyes

Water Star splash me
All that loves and cries
Disappears in the curve of the river
Everything is inside and out
My forest of jewels

Is the water
Has the water
Has that immensity
Has the shade of the forest
Has the light of the heart
Wishing well!

I remember my mom playing this song at home when I was little. It brings tears to my eyes. At the School of Warriors Without Weapons 2007 I met the man the song was written about- Benke. He showed up as if out of nowhere and brought his wisdom and stories to teach to the group. At Bioneers later that year, I got to be one of the youth who hosted the 13 indigenous grandmothers. My grandmother was Maria Alice from the Amazon. Her daughter was also there and I later found out that she knew Benke well.