Neophyte

Traditions

Metztli and Valentina walked out of the kizh together, and the people of the tribes were everywhere, preparing for tonight's festivities. Metztli was happy and excited to be part of the Tongva community since it reminded her of home and all the times her people came together to practice their traditions. "Valentina, Metztli, I have found you both!" The young women saw Guillermo walking toward them. "Mama wanted me to find you so we could all meet at the tribe's center." He looked at Metztli. "Toypurina also told me to inform you that you will sit beside the Chief."

"R-Really? Why me?"

"Well, you are new to this tribe, and the Chief wants to introduce you to everyone for a proper welcome. Don't worry, you don't have to make a speech. It is an immense honor to be seated next to the Chief. Besides, it will be a good way to learn of the Tongva culture."

"Y-Yeah. I don't do well in crowds. Still, it would be nice to be a part of this." Metztli remembered her conversation with Valentina. "Oh, before I forget! Valentina and I wanted to speak with you. I was hoping you could do us a little favor."

Guillermo raised an eyebrow, curious. "Yes?"

The women looked at each other and then at him. "Valentina asked me if I could teach her some self-defense techniques and to teach her and we were wondering if you could help us tomorrow?"

"Interesting. I would be happy to help. Now, come along. We all have to get ready."

Guillermo led the young women toward the main center of the tribe, where Chief Temejavaguichia was seen speaking with his sister. The siblings noticed the trio and stopped speaking. Toypurina walked forward. "We are happy that you all arrived." She looked at Metztli. "Guillermo informed you?"

"Yes, he did. It's an honor."

"Now, you will thoroughly learn of our culture and what the Missions are trying to repress. Valentina, please sit beside her and translate everything my brother speaks of. I will have to sit at the opposite side of him, so I will not be able to do so." 

Valentina nodded.

The trio was then led to a long log with a couple of handmade mats on top. Metztli was motioned to sit at a specific spot while Guillermo and Valentina sat beside her. They watched as the tribe's people slowly began to make their way to the center of the tribe. Many women brought clay plates while men brought slaughtered animals to cook. Metztli sat silently and watched everything unfold. The men were cutting the meat and hanging it over the fire they had made. Many women gave people plates to eat.

"So, teach me some of the basics of the language, Valentina."

Valentina looked thoughtful but spoke. "When you speak the language, you must know the meanings of the beginning and ending of words. For example, when you listened to us speak, you noticed that some words had the endings 'tli,' 'tl,' and 'li,' correct?" Metztli nodded, and Valentina continued, "When you hear words with those ending sounds, the words mean living things such as animals, people, and some objects."

"Give me some examples please."

"Coyotl means coyote. Amatl means paper. However, some words don't have a particular ending, although they may mean living things, such as mizton, meaning fish. Cahuayoh, meaning horse."

Metztli was astonished. "Hey, some of the words sound like Spanish." She noticed Valentina's mood had become sour. "Oh, sorry."

Guillermo listened to his sister teaching Metztli parts of the lesson. He couldn't believe his sister would do something like that with another person. His sister was very cautious and didn't trust many people, especially some Neophytes, since they worked for the Padres. It warmed his heart to see his sister coming out of her shell. "The thing is, Metztli, that when the Spaniards came, both languages had some mixtures and some of our languages became adopted with the Spanish language."