Joined by a small family of Asheninka translators, Farne and Iain drive along the banks of the River Perene to the village of Pampa Michi, amongst the tourist welcome, they persuade the chief Fredi Miguel Ucayali to be interviewed. His is a sobering account of the Peru Corporation’s takeover of these lands which is shocking to hear first-hand.
In Marankiari they stay with the Asheninka for a few days and feel they get a bit closer to life behind the scenes of the village, they talk to Berta Rodriguez, the mother of the chief, who at 80 years old can remember the old Asheninka beliefs.
They celebrate Farne’s birthday with the tribe, and share photographs of King Chokery and his Queen, and suddenly the pictures come alive with meaning.
The chief Osbaldo Rodriguez is able to shed some light on events from the past, and in return they are able to share copies of the original land contract.
Iain and Farne make it to the border town of Pichinaki to mull over events, and consider whether to travel on into the Whirlpool of the Dead.