Urcaguary for prosperity but not greed

By Bolero News Services
Photos by Namida Giulia

AMAZON -- Are natives starting to embrace prosperity and wealth?
 
A crowd of Amazonians Sunday continued a wave of religious fever that has swept the jungle in the past year with another tribute, this time to the Urcaguary, god of wealth. The ceremony included an auction of men and women that raised nearly 10,000 Amazon Coins for the Incan.

Sunday's event follows on the heels of a tribute to Ekkeko last month, which was also a tribute to a god of prosperity and abundance. 

Despite these tributes to gods associated with money and material acquisition, Chieftess Khaing of the Xoco insists Sunday’s tribute had nothing to do with materialism.
 
“As long as natives have forests, are warm at night and well fed with a good supply of rum, materialism is irrelevant,” Khaing stated. 

Khaing went on to describe materialism as an “opiate” that makes people unhappy. 

“If through greed they take our forests, Lord Supay, god of death, will poison the air and kill them all. You’ll see!” Khaing warned. 

Priestess Eve Fintan, who is not a native of the jungle, had a very different take on the Urcaguary tribute. Fintan, along with her husband Dylan, owns and operates the Catadore Resort, which Forbes Travel Guide describes as, “a piece of luxury in an area of the Amazon that otherwise offers few comforts for travelers.”

In a speech during the tribute, Fintan said the success of the resort is due to her faith in Urcaguary.

“If you know me, you know I've preached plenty day in and day out about what the god Urcaguary will do for you if you believe in yourself and take risks. Just look at me!” Fintan exclaimed to a sizeable crowd of worshipers. "Our family and business counterparts have thrived because Urcaguary...duh."

Speaking after the tribute, Fintan pointed out the abundance of resources to be exploited in the Amazon. 

“I don’t think people realize just how rich this place is -- all the cures hidden in the jungle’s vegetation, the wealth buried in its caves, including emerald mines, diamonds, and gold,” she said. 

In his speech at the tribute, Dylan Fintan also suggested the success of the resort was connected to faith in Urcaguary. 

"Not long after our son was born, we started paying tribute to Urcaguary, with offerings of gems and coins, and things started to turn around for us. We were able to find more investors and broke ground on the Catadore Resort,” he said. 

In her speech at the tribute, Khaing had some words of warning for those who are greedy. 

“Worms, snakes and spiders slither over the skulls that lie amongst the sparkling jewels. But remember that diamonds are forever and if you are greedy and avaricious, you'll get nothing whilst you sleep,” the chieftess warned. 

Speaking after the tribute, Khaing explained the worship of a god of wealth is not in conflict with her condemnation of materialism and greed. 

“Because we love Lord Urcaguary,” she explained, “we emulate him and like shiny things too, especially gold, not because we’re materialistic, but because it’s pretty, doesn’t need polishing, and Urcaguary tells us it’s sacred. Besides, gold can be traded for rum and everyone knows that’s vital to Amazonian life.”

Salisabil, an employee of the Catadore Resort, also spoke at the ceremony, offering a few of her own thoughts on greed and materialism. She pointed out today there is a much wider variety of products for people to consume.

“Are we more greedy than before? I don't know, but we all enjoy a little greed. Some yearn for gold or clothes. In my case it is ice cream,” she said. “'But is greed always good? I am not so sure. Some people rob and hurt others to gain possessions."

She went on to express concerns about energy development and its impacts on the jungle. 

“We cannot live without the jungle, and if we let greed destroy it, then all our lovely shiny things will be no use at all,” she said. 

Following the speeches, a “date auction” was held. Chad Sheriffe and John Regan of the Renegades, Henry Vyceratops of the Bandits, Elizabeth of the Xoco, Persephone Bolero of the City of the Lost, and Tantrica of unknown origins auctioned off their fine company. 

A dance party was also held, including a contest for best dressed. Syd Staaf was awarded the 2,000 Amazon Coin prize in the event. 

Staaf did not return requests for comment as of press time.