Cooking with a story
The history of the Yahgans is not known to many people over here in Holland. I think it is important to pay attention to the history of the Yahgans, of peoples living far away, who are also part of our …
Author: Aly
Documentary Tánana at 6 June in Vrijburcht (IJburg Amsterdam)
Theater Vrijburcht Jan Olphert Vaillantlaan 143 1086 XZ Amsterdam (IJburg) Thursday 6 June 2019 At 20.30 hrs We are very honoured to have been given the opportunity to the screening of this very special documentary in Amsterdam. For that, we …
Documentary Tánana at 6 June in Vrijburcht (IJburg Amsterdam) Lees meer ›
Paint with water
What does the landscape look like? Paint with water. Watercolor of the MaakLab (primary school groups 4, 5, 6 & 7). Reading tip: Episode 1. Yahgan-sha
Tánana screening at cultural cinema Griffioen VU University Amsterdam
On 16 April 2019 we watched the documentary Tánana with eighteen people in the cultural cinema of Griffioen VU in Amstelveen / Amsterdam. A special welcome to the winners of the prize competition held at the Molinos de Viento language …
Tánana screening at cultural cinema Griffioen VU University Amsterdam Lees meer ›
Building mountains at MaakLab
Seven children start their creative constructions. Mountains, riverbeds and lakes. Waste materials are reused. A layer of paper mache covers it. “It is just like elephant snot”, it rattles at the table. The bases are ready. Posting a flag on …
A story at the MaakLab after school
Children from the neighbourhood make creative objects at the MaakLab after school. This time as a starter: episode 12 of the Infinite Stories, Sisoi makes his own toys. Very good afternoon together. Guest at Monica Schokkenbroek’s MaakLab. Neighbourhood cooperation OHG …
Tánana shown in Amsterdam harbour area
With thirty three neighbours and friends we had a very interesting afternoon with the screening of Tánana and aftertalk in the neighbourhood center De Eester. Tánana: meaning ready to set sail in the Yahgan language, is about the return of …
Documentary about Yahgan people in Amsterdam
On Sunday, 25th November 2018 at 2:00 pm, we will exhibit the documentary Tánana – ready to set sail. Buurtcoöperatie De Eester, C. van Eesterenlaan 266, Amsterdam (East). We are very honoured to have been given the opportunity to the …
Infinite Stories translated into English
2017-08-12 This year I will translate the Infinite Stories into English. Therefore, more and more readers worldwide can read the stories about Gaméla, her brother Sisoi and their parents. At this time there are 23 episodes full of imaginary adventures …
23. Sisoi catches a strange fish
His father beckons him. Sisoi crawls carefully to the bow of the canoe. He follows his father’s index finger. It points to a place in the slightly waving water: ‘there’. Sisoi feels his knees shaking a bit, now he is …
22. Grandma and the mysterious killer whale
Sisoi is visiting his grandmother. Not far from grandma’s hut are killer whales (orcas) swimming. Grandma gets up and walks on the beach for a while. “What does grandma do?” Sisoi asks his parents. Gaméla turns her head briskly. Shhh, …
21. Beastly ice
They have collected new stones, found in the far west, called flints, to light the fire. Gaméla, Sisoi and their parents navigate in their canoe along several glaciers. The ice creaks and cracks terrifyingly. They see impressive icebergs. And suddenly… …
20. Triple celebration
Just a few more hours and then there’s a big party! All morning Gaméla and Sisoi are walking around with smiling faces. Several families have gathered specially for the party in the bay of Saint Martin’s Cove, near Cape Horn. …
19. Strangers share dinner
After several days of traveling, they see an abandoned hut on the coast. That’s the location they choose. The hut is situated between two huge piles of empty mussel shells. Father and Sisoi pull their canoe very close to it …
18. The revenge of the older Sun-man
(Another story based on the Yahgan mythology about heaven and earth) Gaméla never gets tired of hearing some old stories. Others terrify her. She has only listened to the myth about the older Sun-man once. She will never forget it. …
17. The sun departs
(A story based on the Yahgan mythology about heaven and earth) Gaméla rubs the sleep from her eyes. She sees her little brother still lying near the fire. Her parents are already awake. “Where are we again?”, she asks herself, …
16. A dangerous climb on a steep rock
The canoe sails along a rocky island. Sisoi’s father inspects the steep cliffs. Suddenly he points upward: “Son look, there!” With his eagle-eyed sight he can see bird nests. He counts four, five, up to ten on that one cliff …
15. It’s cozy on the water
The sun sets behind the mountains and puts a golden glow on Beagle Channel. The wind has diminished. Five canoes are gliding through the calm water, not far off the coastline. There is a cozy, calm atmosphere on the water. …
14. Gaméla and Sisoi have a toothache
Gaméla and her brother Sisoi both hold their hands on their jaws. Their mouths are tightly pressed to a thin line. “Mum, our teeth hurt a little bit.” Their mother reassures them. “You are completely healthy, only after a long …
13. In search of fresh water
The snow has melted. Spring will come soon. Sisoi follows his father who carries a stick in his hands. He seems to be looking for something. With his head bent down, he searches down along the shoreline. Sometimes he takes …
12. Sisoi makes his own toys
The sea is calm. Two canoes will go out to sea. Besides their parents, the neighbours will also be gone to search for food. Sisoi and Gaméla stay on the beach. Gaméla takes care of the neighbours’ baby. She loves …
11. Little sea lion badly injured
(Also read story 10. Ghosts between the flames) In the distance, Gamela sees a glitter, it is a badly injured baby sea lion. He lies bleeding on an ice floe. Gaméla saw him in the flames. She returns to the …
10. Ghosts between the flames
The sunlight weakens. Slowly the day fades away. The evening is welcomed by Gaméla and Sisoi with some additional wood on the fire. As they put dry leaves between the tree trunks, the flames rise up high for a moment. …
9. The missing canoe
Sisoi listens to his father who is talking with their temporary neighbour. The neighbour gives a helping hand with the repairs on the canoe. The neighbours had a long journey before they arrived, coming all the way from the other …