Peace and Dignity Run Begins in Borikén

Runners for Peace and Dignity Boriken 2010. (Photo: Amy Ponce)

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) – The Borikén 2010 Peace and Dignity Run began on the 17th of July with the sounding of many guamo (conch shell horns) at sunrise in the Yunke Rainforest. A spiritual event, the run is being undertaken to raise awareness about the condition of indigenous scared sites on the island as well as connect native Taino islanders with their mainland relations. At the special opening ceremony, runners received the blessing of elders and other community members as they began an historic journey that would take them to sacred sites all around the island.

The runners – who are representing community members residing on and off the island - have the responsibility to carry a number of sacred staffs representing the “prayers of the people”.

FROM UCTP TAINO NEWS....

Taino Prepare for Sacred Run

Boriken (UCTP Taino News) - For many ancient Indigenous cultures runners were an important way to send messages between communities. Taino People soon plan to highlight this tradition by organizing a “four directions” run this July on the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico). The Boriken 2010 Peace and Dignity Run is linked to the “Peace and Dignity Journeys”, spiritual runs that embody the indigenous prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor. This prophecy mandates the reunification of Indigenous Peoples throughout the Americas.

Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana, one of the organizers of the Boriken Run sees the inclusion of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples as an essential but often overlooked element of the Eagle and Condor prophecy.

See the full story at UCTP TAINO NEWS