Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Waiting for the gods

In the 16th century the Spanish headed to South America in the hopes of finding gold and new lands. When they arrived the natives thought they might be gods because they were light skinned and came from the sea. They, at first, submitted to the invaders' wishes but when they saw that these supposed gods ate, and drank, and fornicated, they decided that maybe they weren't gods after all but evil men. By then, of course, the damage had been done. The Spaniards brought with them horses and swords as well as the previously un-encountered disease of small pox. The natives not killed by disease stood standing in shock as strange devices like cannons and guns were fired at them.

The idea that an entire culture of people could be waiting for gods from beyond their shores became the inspiration for the people of Pa'Chot. For some as yet unexplained reason they are waiting for someone and their entire culture is focused on it.