A Childhood Memory of a Journey by Balsa

This text is a first person account given by a Seri woman of an early 20th century balsa voyage made as a frightened child between the Gulf of California islands of Tiburon and San Esteban, a journey of around 15 kilometers. Her description includes how a balsa was loaded and paddled, the extreme danger of navigating a crossing known for its strong currents and large whirlpool, and how songs the paddler sang upon approaching the island calmed the sea. She depicts her wonder at the profusion of so many flying shorebirds being “like rain” and their abundant eggs coloring the beach. Included in her narrative is a poignant account of a woman who refused to go on the balsa, instead traversing the interior of Tiburon and disappearing with little trace.