Kilawen Ritual ( Kalding )

12/12/03

Bermuda grass was her last meal

Came to me, with a silent wail

With a snap of the blade she fell

Head on top of a pan, life drifting at will

Sudden jerk of muscles and breath, gone

Gone to serve the needs of a man

Burning wood flaming so fierce

Burning hair put me in tears

Guava branch rub, remove the burned hair

Shiny dark brown skin, bare

Gentle cut, down from solar plexus

Innards and body fluids ooze

Small cut of main body parts offered to the spirits

Their share for a good harvest

Then cast salt to the flesh

To keep them fresh

Razor sharp knife cut skin from flesh

Cut skin to small pieces

Soak in vinegar, onions, salt to taste and ginger

Tasted first by the elders

Children will, take care the rest

Women are somewhere, underneath the trees

Breastfeeding, doing their hair or telling stories

Dogs are roaming around for bones to bite

You'll know it, there is always fight