Shamanism in Moche Art and Iconography - Maya Exploration Center

depicted in association with shamans.The scepter from the tombat Sipan discussed in the previo~ls sectian is a perfectexample(flgure 70). There are many other examples.Around themodern Mesa de Bruju are swords and knives stuck into theground(Figure 71).She wrapone are meant to keep the bad spiritsat bay during the ritual (Hadingham 1987;174).The Spanishmirjsionaries no doubt frowned upon healing rituals and both good .and bad hrujeria is against the law in the modern village ofMoche.What once could be done in a permgnent location was thusforced to become more mobile, hence the creation of the Nesa deBrujo.t?_a.~.~oo~'iWenson noted that the Fanged Deity is sometimes depicted ascorn and other vegetables(Figures 72 and 75). The Treasurer ofSipan exhibition currently traveling through the U.5.includes anceramic image identif icd as "the ~anioc ~od'~. It is the FangedDeity's head emerging from the tubers.In the ceramic pieceshown in Figure 72 the Deity emerges from the manioc roots eatingmanioc.Turning one more time to the image Donnan: uses to. ..explain the Fresentation ceremony (Figure 48), one can now seethat the animal heads on either end of the sky band are eatingwflnicJc.Manioc dnes not grow in the coastal i-egi.ons and fallsintn the same category as jaguars and snakes; 0.FAmazon:ianorigin.To find reasons why manioc would be involved in scent!+