Libby Townsend’s second annual Tarahumara Rain Dance drew a crowd of 40 lakesiders intent upon conjuring up the good graces of Mother Nature and lending support to the Complejo Asistencial Clinica Santa Teresita located in Creel, Chihuahua.
The event was put together as a social gathering to raise funds for Santa Teresita’s free hospital services and feeding program, combined with a summer season spiritual ceremony.
After enjoying a jovial cocktail hour, the guests followed Townsend’s lead in a moving ritual drawn from the practices of various indigenous cultures as well as her own family traditions.She began by setting up a small shrine set up the base of the majestic salate tree that dominates her garden. She laid out a collection of Tarahumara handicrafts and other trinkets imbued with special meanings. At the center she placed at vat holding water and a large chunk of garnet that was stirred up to unleash mystical properties.
Portions of the liquid were passed out among the guests who joined for a collective meditation to bring rain for good crops and recovery for Lake Chapala. Making a series of clockwise turns to face all four cardinal points, the group recited incantations and spilled the consecrated water into the earth.
To conclude the ceremony, participants formed a dance line to take three full turns around the salate’s massive trunk.