|
The last Chiejaus took place in Assif, on Navarino
Island. There, Masémikensh, a Yagán teacher,
directed the young people's lessons, before their almost
total extinction.
Father Martín Gusinde, ethnologist, was the only
white man invited and as an ushipin initiate he participated
in the ceremony.
During the ceremony the Yagán people sang to
distract themselves, and to drive away to the Yetahite,
enemy and malignant spirit, jealous of the accomplishments
of the Chiejaus.
They also struck the walls of the Marma with sticks
and branches, to frighten the spirit.
The dance was one of the favoured parts of the ceremony
and it took place at the end of the night. Each dance
received the name of the animal, which it imitated.
" The Yagán people are true artists in the
representation of these animals ", says Aureliano
Oyarzún, who was present at such a ceremony.
|