It’s time for Science Fiction and Fantasy Saturday. To find other great authors posting snippets from their work (no more that ten sentences each) click on the logo above.
Jarn’s Journal is the journal of a human-like alien, Jarn, who was stranded on Earth roughly 125,000 years ago. He has contacted a group of our ancestors, and at this point he has been in Africa for almost five years. A longer version of this post (and one that makes some sense of the photo!) is on my main blog; the entire Journal to date is on my author site. And if you’d like a summary of why Jarn is an important part of the back story of my science fiction, have a look at this posting from the World Building Blogfest. Warning: major spoilers!
Year 5, Day 45
I think I missed a few things last year.
It seems that the shaman has more of a part in the recognition of a new baby by the group than I realized. The shaman of the group the mother is from presents the baby, and plays a part in the ceremonial naming. All very reasonable—the shaman is the one who would know who the mother is.
The problem is that Songbird was not in a group with a shaman when little WildDog was born.
And they want me to stand as shaman at his recognition.
They’re very deferential about it, but it seems that neither Meerkat nor Giraffe is acceptable. I’d be willing, but I can’t help worrying what effect this is going to have on WildDog’s status with the group. Hard as I’ve tried to dissuade them, they still look on me as a god.
I had a private talk with Rain Cloud to find out just what is expected of a shaman sponsoring a child.
Jarnian Confederation 
Yikes. That would be a tough gig to pull off…
And all Jarn wants is company.
Little Wilddog would definitely have a step up with a celebrity Shaman. Makes for some great scenes, placing a character is such awkward situations – looking forward to seeing it played out. Great Snippet!!
Can a god be a shaman?
Oh nooo. Jarn has a knack for getting into uncomfortable situations. It’s enough to levitate outta there! Good snippet as always. 😀
At least they’re accepting him.
Anthropology from the POV of an alien? Colour me curious
Well, I have to do a lot of guessing. BTW I tried to comment on yours, but the captcha defeated me.
Bitten off a bit more than he can chew (again), has he? Very interesting…
Being helpful has its problems.
Yes – careful with the spoilers! I see you asked the question I was thinking about – can god be a shaman? Hmmm…
A god. These people are a long way from monotheism.
Excellent character. This situation certainly would bear investigation before jumping in. At the very least, some soul-searching.
H doesn’t want to be a god, but he needs the People both for their knowledge and creativity, and for the company.
I missed a few things last year, too. Namely, the entries covering most of the year. I am SO far behind in this story! I need to get caught up.
Go no my author site and click “Jarn’s Journal.” The whole thing is there.
Well, at least he has someone he can ask so he’s not flying completely blind (as it were). Poor Jarn. He’s just trying not to be lonely, and he ends up being a god and a shaman… if that’s possible!
Trying to do the right thing can have so many consequences.
Fascinating that his first thought is concern for the effect this will have on WildDog, not worry about what it means for Jarn. Jarn’s character comes across really well in this.
The only thing he really wants is to go home, and he knows he can’t.
Love the name Wild Dog – cute!
It is not unknown for the People to keep infant wild animals but Patches, Jarn’s tamed African wild dog, is the only one they have seen that will actually work with people as an adult. The baby was named after her.
Interesting turn of events. I wonder if he will go through with it. 🙂
Check next week.
Definitely a tricky situation. But, I’m sure it will all work out perfectly fine. 😉
I’m thinking about how I can use it, but far in the future.