poem by Maria Luiza Freitas Guimarães
Theme: Feast of Saint John – free adaptation in verse
There are times that are long gone,
two friendly indians lived
in search of hunting and fishing
and all their goods were divided.
One day there was extreme scarcity,
fishing and hunting are gone,
prayed to God Nhandeyara
and a new food they asked for.
So on a dark night
in the midst of a silvery glow,
a brave warrior emerged
by Nhandeyara sent.
“You will have your food,
but first you will have to fight
and whoever is the strongest
the other will bury”.
Avaty, who was the weakest,
in the clash was defeated
and, by your faithful friend,
his body was buried.
friend's cry of pain
Avaty's pit watered,
and one day, in the middle of winter,
green foliage has sprouted.
And in it, golden spikes,
succulent grains hid,
red light hair
that gleamed in the sunlight.
The nutritious cereal
started to be cultivated
and, in homage to the Indian,
from Avaty was called.
And here on this beautiful night
where love and union reign,
come taste avaty
And celebrate Saint John!
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