The local Kumeyaay elders sent mediators to work with me on repatriating or
reburial of ritual objects and human remains exposed during archaeology
testing and salvage during construction of Interstate 8 in San Diego, California
between 1971 and 1973. Under the duress of the moment, information exchanged
that normally would not have been divulged. Local native tobacco and white sage
were burned in abalone shells and words said to keep the spirits back as we
moved the remains to the right-of-way and returned them to the ground. Later,
after all the Anglos left, pots were dropped on the site and rituals done to
keep the spirits from returning. All those people who were involved, save
me, have passed away now. I no longer retain the words in my mind.
Ron