Map of the Sky

Map of the Bora Sky, by Víctor Churay Roque, expresses the importance to the Bora people of the observation of the constellations. In this way, they plan the actions and activities essential to the life of the community. This painting depicts a shaman gazing at the constellations of stars that fill the sky. He is surrounded by Amazon dolphins and lush vegetation. For the Boras, the sky is a mirror of life on Earth, the dwelling place of their cultural heroes and the setting for their epic struggles.
The presence or absence of the constellations known as bóóáá (boa), pímyé, bóbé (anteater) and bárájwa (centipede) enables the Boras to prepare themselves for the rainy season, and to identify the best time to hunt, fish, sow and harvest. The sky is also associated with the space into which shamans take flight in search of the protector beings who guide them in their divination and healing activities.