How Ijapa Lost His Hair

Ijapa the Tortoise was invited to a feast in a village where it was the custom for all guests to have their heads shaved clean. Ijapa, who was very proud of his single tuft of hair, did not want to shave it. He devised a plan. He arrived at the feast with his head covered, claiming he had a terrible headache and that the wrapping was a special medicine. He enjoyed the feast, but when it was time for the dancing, the host insisted that all must uncover their heads. Trapped, Ijapa had to remove his wrapping, revealing his unshaved head. The hosts were deeply insulted by his disrespect for their custom. As punishment, they did not just shave his head; they plastered it with hot, sticky tree gum. The gum was so strong that when he finally managed to pull it off, it took not only his single tuft of hair but also all the skin, leaving his head scarred, bald, and shiny to this day.