The Native Iowan

I very recently learned that my very dear friend, Peter Kavanga, passed away.

I am not sure where or when but I see through second hand FB posts that the planet has lost a very good, wise, important human being.

I met Peter in the late 90s. Gracie had “found” him through a friend. Peter was a traditional healer with a very impressive reputation.

At that time I was suffering from severe sciatica. I was in a bad way, had been dragging a leg, and moaning when moving for a while. At times it was debilitating. I’d been to doctors, seen numerous massage therapists… was dragging my leg behind me and living with a load of pain.

When I went to meet Peter for the first time it was a very professional consultation. I told him about my problems, he asked a lot of questions. He asked for and received notes from past medical visits. When all done he accepted me into his care, sated that he could help me, and said to me, “…be prepared to bury yourself in pain…”.

Twice a day for 5 days running. 2to3hours each session. He’d use his fingers, which I do believe could crack walnuts, to loosen all my joins and ligaments and muscles. He did bruise me more than once. He went very deep. Terribly deep.

And all the while, I’d be moaning and groaning and at times screaming, he’d be chuckling or chatting.

The first 5days went well and I honestly got my leg back. It did not happen overnight, and the pain was real, but I got my body back.

That was in late 1999 and into early 2000. And I never ceased to allow Peter to keep me healthy. At one stage I employed him as my Major Domo, and went home daily for afternoon beating, ah, massage sessions.

My entire family relied on him to keep us healthy and hapi. He could fix injuries, assist with chronic issues, set bones, and make you scream… or was it a howl… we called it “Peter’s Wolf Pack Skool of massage”… Aaauuuwoooooooohhhh…..

I last saw him a few years back, in 2016. After a neardeath motorcycle mishap I ended up with a severely damaged shoulder joint. It was then I underwent one week of daily therapy / beatings from both Peter and Ruatau Perez. That was mainly for my buggered shoulder. But of course all problems manifest throughout the body so the daily sessions, both morning asd afternoon, were intense. And did some good… But even the best cannot fix that which cannot be repaired.

I had my shoulder replaced last year. Have not been back to the Solomons since February 2019. Had not seen Peter for way too long.

A few weeks back I asked my Daughter to see if he was around. To give him some money, pass on my very best regards.

Not To Be…

Sadly Not To Be.

It was an absolute honour to have walked in this man’s Shadow.

Hugg those near

Smilez all around