Field Notes #2 - Relaxing in a Spring

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Take a Dip

06/13/2019

Observation by Patrick Morgan


It’s the end of the day, and a number of members of the community are soaking in a naturally occurring spring. It is after all the day’s work is done, and while kids are being generally noisier than the adults, in general this is recognized as a time to relax. The word attributed to this is “zhesalfunti” which has no direct comparison in English. It was described to me by my guide. So the closest description I can think of would be loosely: the revitalization one feels when dipping lowering themselves into fresh, chilly water.

Given this society’s orientation around the water, this practice isn’t very surprising. The beauty is in the details, however, and the entire thing is something to witness, for sure.

As the sun was setting, the town seemed to heave in a relaxed sigh, pushing all the people out of their houses and together to the circle at the center of town. Here is where most transactions and activities occur, but at this moment, everyone was chatting. Some were yawning, fresh out of their naps, while others - especially children - were running around and socializing at full volume. Everyone had changed into general swimwear, and were all-around amicable. There were many audible exclamations of “tan dotika…” which is what one says after a taxing, but satisfying task is accomplished. 

The sky was almost completely dark, holding on ever so desperately to that last orange-pink splash, and the oldest in the village spoke “zhesalfunti!” and I was immediately interested. The root for water “fun” was there but the rest didn't make sense to me. I asked my guide, and he stumbled. He couldn't find a word in his English lexicon to describe it to me. He finally landed on “it’s not just a ritual word, it’s a feeling word too”. 

No more elucidated, I joined the townsfolk and we all walked to the spring nearby. It was at the base of a waterfall, fed by that, as well as multiple small channels of water that spread out like veins in the island. All of the people, one by one began lowering themselves into the pool. I joined, tentatively. I always hated the feeling of entering cold water at night. However, this water, it was perfect. Chilly enough to be felt all the way through, but as you sink deeper, an ancient warmth radiates up your core. The urge to sigh was irresistible, for me as well as everyone else. My guide lowered himself in right after I finished, and after getting comfortable, he said through closed eyes “See, thats zhesalfunti.”

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