Pujnuiné – I really miss Ojo

 Pujnuiné Chedo Queruidaté

Pujnuiné Sings:

I’m going to sing a bit.

They say I’m Jnaníné’s little brother. Even though I am, I’m going to hide the words of my song from him. I really miss Ojo but I’m not going to follow her. Ojo was almost my fiancee. I thought about my fellow young men and how she hadn’t stopped attracting them with the cute things she would say and her direct, but kind, talk. I  kept thinking they would want her for a wife. Then Pujnuidaté scolded me. And it made me very sad. So I went off to hunt honey and look for turtle. But I kept thinking about Ojo. As though I were already with her in her camp. She rewarded her older sisters and gave them gifts because she is so kind, and they would cook for her.

Pujnuiné– Tobité, Bolivia – 1965.

Transcribed by: Joyce Davis Buchegger.

Translated to English by: Maxine Morarie.