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We bury the dead, repair homes, rebuild the sacred mountain, and construct again the temple at the top. Through it all, I make the story of the Shark God’s rise from the sea on paper made from bark, just as Xia records the same in stone.
The shark god has poisoned the fields with seawater, pushed sand up from the bottom of the ocean, and the crops die.
Hunger gnaws at our bellies. Men journey deeper and deeper inland looking for turkey, armadillos, and other game. Women net fish and dig the edible roots. Everyone assists in preparing new land for gardens and sowing the beans, squash, beans, and peppers.
Again, we offer blood and honor the gods with dance and games. We fast to reserve the scant food for the maize god. Again, the rains, when they finally come, are poor.
At a ceremony
