Talking to the spirits: A jungle-at-night register of the Murui people from the Northwest Amazon

The jungle, especially at night, is seen by the Murui as extremely dangerous and full of threats. At night, when one is away from the safety of their own settlements (e.g. when walking in the forest or paddling on the river), it is imperative to employ a special register when conversing with someone who cannot be seen. Failure to do so can result in falling victim to malevolent spirits (and transformed shamans) who can appear as e.g. a jaguar or a snake. This register does not have a special name in the language but the Murui refer to it as ‘the way you speak if you do not know who or what you are talking to’. It is a way to disguise a person’s voice in such a manner that evil beings would not recognize it, and thus harm the person.