Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Olmec Dragon



Icon. Drawing Olmec: dragon carved in stone found in Chalcatzingo (Photo: INAH)


MEXICO – In Vera Cruz, Guerrero and Morelos (states of Mexico), archaeologists of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) found representations of mythical beings who were believed, until then, were ignored by the ancient dwellers of the region: dragons.

Images carved in stone, clay sculptures and paintings dating between the years 1200 and 400 BC indicate the practice of a cult of worship to this fantastic animal: the dragon Olmec. There is no mistake. This is not the plumed serpent known and called Quetzalcoatl or Kukulkan. It is another more ancient creature.

The olmec dragon is depicted as a chimera, mixing physical features of snake, bird and jaguar. It also appears like an anthropomorphic being, a dragon-man.

The images have peculiar traits of the Olmec culture: the flame-shaped eyebrows and a cross, of the type called cross of St. Andrew, located between the eyes or on the back. The chief of excavations at Chalcatzingo, in Morelos, Carolina Meza Rodriguez adds: Another interesting aspect of Olmec dragon is that his mouth emits signs that seem like combinations of commas. It is not known whether the signals represent mere fumes or they are words, names, belonging to an unknown language or writing.

The olmec dragons are always related to the cave entrances. It is speculated that they are the symbol of power of an ancient lineage of leaders who ruled the Olmec people between the years 800 and 500 BC. In some cases, the iconographic elements associated with the dragon are found in different parts of a cave. Thereby, the entire chamber becomes a dragon. The Olmec people is the oldest sedentary culture today known at Mesoamerica


SOURCE: CRUZ, Antimio. Los Olmecas también imaginaron dragones.
IN El Universal/Mexico, published in 03/27/2011
[http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/cultura/65110.html]



Saturday, March 26, 2011

Sacred caves of Yanomamis are found in brazilian Amazonian


Neblina peak, located on the north
of Amazonas state, in Serra do Imeri
(Imeri mountais) is the more high
point of Brazil with 2993,78 meters.


AMAZONAS/BR – An inedit expedition realized last year (2010) in the Parque Nacional do Pico da Neblina (National Park of Neblina Peak) identified five caves that are considered sacred by the indigenous of the yanomami ethnic group.

The caves are located at the high river Negro (rio Negro). So far, only the Yanomami knew their location. Now, the caves were indexed by governamental instances that organized the expedition: the Centro Nacional de Conservação e Pesquisas de Cavernas (Cecav) linked to the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio – Chico Mendes Institute of conservation and research of caves).

The exact localization and photos obtained of the caves will be not disclosed. This is a secret because these caves are not only geographical spaces. For the Yanomami indigenous the five caves are mystic, magical places with spiritual meanings.

Despite the caution, a little information could be revealed by the coordinator of the expedition, José Carlos Reino. The caves are small but sustain a rich ecosystem. Granite predominates in geological formations and the researchers explored an extension of 60 km.

But beyond topographical knowledge the project includes cultural anthropology that related to the caves. During the expedition were recorded the legends and myths of the five caves, traditions of the Yanomami indigenous people.

To reach the caves, the expedition had to negotiate with the Yanomami. The Indians themselves have led the team to the site but they do not agree to allow visits in that area of the the National Park. Before the group begin the expedition, the leader indigenous Joaquin Figueroa performed a ritual (damn, the caciques no more have names of caciques) for the spirits, that live in the caves, permit the presence of strangers there.


SOURCE: Expedição identifica cavernas sagradas dos índios yanomami no Pico da Neblina, no Amazonas.
IN A Crítica, published in 03/18/2011
[http://acritica.uol.com.br/amazonia/Amazonia-Amazonas-Manaus-Expedicao-identifica-Pico-Neblina-Amazonas_0_446355654.html]



Monday, March 21, 2011

El Salvador: Maya priests are praying for Obama



Photo: AP/Luis Romero


EL SALVADOR – At El Salvador a Council of mayan priests belive that the visit of the president Barak Obama is not a fortuity event. Obama arrives to the country on the epoch of an mystic anual ritual. Then, the priests will use the opportunity to ask their ancient ancestors enlightment for Obama in his decisions.

The coordinator of the Council of priests, Ernesto Campos, speaking to a small crowd, explained that the prayers are for that world leaders can take good decisions, especially Obama. The wish of the priests is that the inspiration of gods reach the mind and heart of the great leaders for they take wise decisions, with spiritual meaning (noetic perception), with respect and harmony sense with the whole mankind.

In the agenda for U.S. president on his visit to El Salvador is scheduled a visit to a Mayan ceremonial center called Pan-Tec, at San Andrés, 32 miles west of the capital (San Salvador), department (state) of La Liberdad.. The place is an archaeological site dated around 900 BC. There are located four pyramids and a museum.

For the priest, Mr. Campos, Obama's visit takes place at the spring equinox, ...when the energy of Sun that comes from the center of the galaxy goes down to mother earth... Campos says: This is a good sign, a president with such power of decision in the world be here, at these lands in this time. Obama, who arrives in El Salvador on Tuesday, April 22 (March 2011) the center on Wednesday, 23.

FONTE: MENDEZ, Diego. Sacerdotes mayas salvadoreños oran por Obama.
IN Yahoo Noticias/AP, published in 03/20/2011
[http://bit.ly/ghNEdH]



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cyclone at brazilian coast



Photo: Agencia Globo



Neighborhood of Leblon: furious sea.


RIO DE JANEIRO (state) – On tuesday, 03/15/2011, a cyclone formed at the southeast coast of Brazil produced waves that reached 3 meter of height and wind gusts of 120 km per hour. In the neighborhood of Leblon, in the south zone of the city (of Rio de Janeiro, capital of state Rio de Janeiro), the images are impressive. According to the National

Meteorological Institute (Inmet) sea should continue agitated even this Thursday (17/03/2011). This tornado was called Arani.
This is the second time this year that a cyclone threaten the brazilian coast at the same region: Rio de Janeiro's state, southeast of the country. The first episode occurred in january. In the occasion the strong wind ripped off roofs of houses.


Phenomenons of these nature were rare at Brazil. Now, the weather patterns appear to be changing. Torrential rains ravage the country from north to south, causing a succession of tragedies. Floods and landslides that have provoked many deaths. Numerous families are homeless in places like the states of Santa Catarina and Paraná.


SOURCE: Ressaca em mar do Rio tem ondas de até 3 metros de altura
ING1,publishe in03/16/2011
[http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2011/03/ressaca-em-mar-do-rio-tem-ondas-de-ate-3-metros-de-altura.html]


Saturday, March 12, 2011

The cow on the tree



RIO GRANDE DO SUL state – At the São Lourenço do Sul city, friday, March, 11 (2011) – the prefect, José Daniel Raupp Martins, declared municipal public calamity after a storm that caused a devastating flood. The force of waters dragged crops and herds. Eight people died and two thousand were made homeless. Among the animals that were lost, only the cow saved itself despite having been in an awkward position: on top of a tree much far from the farm that was her home.

SOURCE: Chuva arrasa cidade e deixa vaca em árvore.
IN Marco Eusebio Blog, published in 03/11/2011
[http://www.marcoeusebio.com.br/]



Thursday, March 10, 2011

The Brazil's flying rivers



AMAZON – Flying rivers are invisible courses of water, chains of vapor that pass above us, without anyone realizing it. These celestial rivers are formed by the waters that evaporate of the Amazon basin. The amount of water in vapor state that runs by these flying rivers is of the same order of magnitude or more than flow of the Amazon River (200 thousand cubic meters per second).


SOURCE: Rios voadores: estudando a umidade do ar ao sabor do vento.
IN Correio do Estado published in 03/10/2011
[http://www.correiodoestado.com.br/noticias/rios-voadores-estudando-a-umidade-do-ar-ao-sabor-do-vento_102239/]