White Bird


Bolivia


Choreography:  June Watts

Music: "Vasija de Barro" Los Incas from CD La Plume De L'Oeuf

About the dance:  White Bird was choreographed by the English circle dance teacher June Watts, who took part in the first Sacred Dance training offered by Bernhard Wosien in Findhorn and was one of the most important and influential teachers in the Sacred/Circle Dance network.

This dance was one of the 3 Dances of Connection at the World Circle Dance Day 2023. 

June explained that the first four steps describe the form of the bird, the Dove of Peace, wings outstretched; with the remaining, travelling steps the bird flies then settles again, as if alighting on a branch.

The song is 'Vasija de Barro', a traditional Andean folk song from Ecuador.  There are many versions of the song: some are instrumentals, others include lyrics. The version used in Inverloch is an instrumental version by Los Incas from their CD La Plume De L’Oeuf.  The song 'Vasija de Barro' refers to indigenous Andean burial customs.

As some versions of this song include lyrics, they have been provided below for additional, interesting information about this song. Paul Boizot provided the Spanish lyrics below.       The English translation is from Laura Shannon.


Vasija de Barro

Yo quiero que a mi me entierren

Como a mis antepasados

En el vientro oscuro y fresco

De una vasija de barro

Quando la vida se perda

Tras una cortina de años

Viviran a todo el tiempo

Amores y desengaños

Arcilla cocida y dura,

Alma de verdes collados, 

Luz y sangre de mis hombres,

Sol de mis antepasados.

De ti nací y a ti vuelvo, 

arcilla, vaso de barro,

con mis muertos yazgo en ti,

en tu polvo enamorado.


Vessel of Clay

I want them to bury me

As they buried my ancestors

In the dark and cool belly 

Of a vessel of clay.

When life is lost

Behind the curtain of years

They will all live forever,

Both loves and disappointments.

Clay hard-fired,

Soul of green meadows,

Light and blood of my people,

Sun of my ancestors.

From you I was born and to you I return,

Clay, vessel of clay,

With my dead loved ones I lie in you,

In your loving dust.


Compiled by: Gail