At light of dawn I rise and make fire,
and dry in nascent fire-gleam the space where dew once pearled.
Joyful, joyful my fire,
burning hot for máte to be made,
I stoke the embers,
prod-stick crackling in the coals.
The yams I brought I place beside the flame,
and manioc I toast
until its skin gleams gold;
my fire nimble skilled
makes food with which I’m filled.

Translated from Avá Guaraní by Tracy K. Lewis.

“Che rata” © Alba Eiragi Duarte. By arrangement with the author. English translation © 2020 by Tracy K. Lewis. Spanish translation © Alba Eiragi Duarte. All rights reserved.

Ko’ê hesakãvo apu’ãma ajatapy,
amokã tatarendýpe ysapy tyky rendaguemi.
Hory, hory che rata,
ambyakúma ka’ayrã,
ahatapyña che rata,
che rata’y opiriri.
Aguerúma che jety amoi tata ykére,
ahovere che mandi’o,
ajapo chugui pirekái,
che rata ikatupyry,
ombojy ha’uva’erã.

Al depuntar el alba me levanto,
prendo el fuego y seco la gota del rocío.
Vivaz, vivaz se vuelve el fuego,
caliento el agua para el mate,
atizo el fuego,
chisporrotea el tizón.
Acerco al fuego la batata,
tuesto la mandioca,
la vuelve dorada,
el fuego es vital,
cuece el alimento.

Traducción de Alba Eiragi Duarte.