Sunday, June 29, 2008

The Deer god

One of our concerns in the jungle was making sure we had enough protein in our children's diet. In the early years, before the solar panels, generators and battery powered refrigerator, we were constantly searching and trading with the Indians for fresh meat and fish.

One meat that the Indians were usually interested in trading with us, was liver. Deer liver and tapir liver. We were glad to get it! We always pretended it was STEAK! The most yummy, prized, sought after cut of meat in the jungle! OH ,yes, my children, you get to eat LIVER! Poor children in America rarely have this opportunity! Aren't you all lucky!! WOO HOO!!!

Since my kids were really isolated in the jungle...the ruse worked! They all ate liver with gusto! But our favorite was deer liver as it was more tender.

One day, Jorge arrived and asked if we liked liver! My husband assured him that we liked liver very much. Then, dear hubby said, in very clear Ye'kwana, " We love to eat deer liver! Our children all love to eat deer liver. Can we buy or trade for some of your deer liver????"

Jorge, opened his eyes and repeated, "Deer liver???"

Hubby says, "Oh yes! We would be glad to trade whatever you might need, for some of your deer liver for our children."

Unfortunately, the Ye'kwana word for "DEER" is "CAWAADI" and the Ye'kwana word for "GOD" is "WANAADI". Very similar to a new language learner!

My husband had been asking to purchase a bit of "God's" liver for our children to eat!

Wanaadi...Cawaadi.. a big difference!

20 comments:

Kimberly said...

Do they still like liver? I can't stand it.

Avi said...

We have chopped liver for Shabbos dinner, Friday night. But I do think that it would be idolatry to call it divine. ;)

MightyMom said...

reminds me of my hubby's story about trying to order mushrooms on his pizza in Italian when he was stationed in Italy.....

let's just say it's a good thing the cook had a sense of humor!! :-)

Harry said...

bar kochba,
Hmm, chopped liver. Everyone said my mother's chopped liver was the best, even my wife, who grew up Catholic. I've tried many times over the years but I just can't eat the stuff. It still tastes like . . . liver.

Findalis said...

Gives a new meaning to Communion wafer.

Chopped liver was a treat in my family. But it was a joy to have.

Dawn said...

Too funny! My cousin raised 4 kids in the desert of Mali, Africa. Their diet consisted mainly of millet. They were amazingly healthy when they came home on furlough, even without fruit, veggies, meat, etc etc etc. Then they got hooked on junk food while they were home!

I like thunder, too! We don't have many thunderstorms in Colorado, but when they do come, they're great.

CrimeSceneFairy said...

:D lol
I guess i'd have to be isolated in the jungle forever to be able to eat...liver. ugh

Webutante said...

I adore liver....

The Merry Widow said...

My Mother used to get phone calls from the neighbor, to come over and have liver...Dad and I thanked G*D she wasn't bringing any home for us!

tmw

Tori Leslie said...

Oh that's funny!
I guess liver is better than grub worms but I think I'll pass on both.
That's one thing I like about Europe, normal food for the most part!

Brenda said...

I got my kids to eat liver when we lived in Peru and they were little. Again, there was no one to tell them it was not good.

I enjoy the language mistake stories, they are always pretty funny.

redneck preacher said...

Good post - Not really very politically correct though. The PETA people may sue you.

Last night in church ya'll were prayed for. Keep us posted with missionary news.

HTOITA

Anonymous said...

I never liked liver. Gibblets, either, now that I think of it.

OTS, there was a show on History Channel recently, about 30 foot long snakes in Venezuela that eat people. I didn't watch it because some of the pictures on the preview were too gruesome for me. That's not true is it, there's no such thing as a snake 30 feet long, I don't expect.

Rita Loca said...

That is only about 9 meters. I have seen 5 meter snakes and heard of larger ones further in the jungle. I saw the trail one left in the sandy bank that was 2 feet wide or so. The Indians told about killing an anaconda so big they had to hack it in pieces to carry off the body .

Jane said...

How funny. I'm afraid I am NOT a liver lover and would have had a very difficult time with eating it. But I guess if ya gotta, ya gotta!

Z said...

Liver..blech! But, I could sure understand why you all enjoyed it...

I loved that story, JM..........easy to make those language mistakes, isn't it! I've made TONS myself..

Most Rev. Gregori said...

AAAH, Liver. I love the stuff, especially smothered in fried onions and served on a bed of rice.

I also love chicken livers with a piece of bacon wrapped around them, pan fried in butter with some garlic, then just before they are done, I pour two tablespoons of soy sauce into the pan and let them simmer for two more minutes.

Since God created the world and all in it, I suppose one could refer to it as God's liver.

Unknown said...

I love the smell of beef liver frying up with onions, but the taste isn't ever what I imagine it to be. Funny story.

Anonymous said...

Good lord. I wonder if my brothers knew that when they were wandering around the Amazon. I bet they didn't.

I wouldn't go into that jungle on a bet.

Glenn B said...

Imagine doing that in the old days of the first European contacts with the SA Indians. probably would have resulted in a BBQ but it would not be deer or God's liver on the menu! Funny story.

All the best,
GB