Mo'wonalɨ''s Technique

For much of the 'Vinetail Distortion' arc, the abilities of Mo'wonalɨ' seems to pale in comparison to the abilities of Nahbeedo'ow-je'my:chi'mhaay and of Zevulun and Chonzheje Grzywacz. As a Chinantec character alongside Doku'mi, it seems that Chinantec people are almost a laughingstock in 'Vinetail Distortion.' Hindzf:n-ni:a-dae=miny is a shaman but clearly isn't as elite as Nahbeedo'ow-je'my:chi'mhaay and Zevulun. Mo'wonali' is essentially just a policeman who has sharpened his magical abilities to be above average.

Although Zevulun treats Mo'wonali' with respect when they're working in the archives, and very kindly explains magical anomalies to him. However, when Zevulun begins to approach Abkwkbw Ayerw and meets Nahbeedo'ow-je'my:chi'mhaay and Hindzf:n-ni:a-dae=miny, and convenes with Chonzheje, he's more careful, and more dismissive or in a way protective of Mo'wonali'.

Mo'wonali' is insulted that Zevulun considers Chonzheje to be more capable than himself, but is mostly silent. Chonzheje is not phased by this, even as Zevulun and the Mixe shamans notice.

When Chonzheje, Mo'wonali' and Hindzf:n-ni:a-dae=miny are forced to wait outside, Chonzheje notes that she can feel something powerful emanating from Mo'wonali'.

technique
Mo'wonali '' s name is intended to mean 'spindle-ribs' in the Ojitlan Chinantec language of southernmost Veracruz. It turns out that this name was given to him by his fellow "warriors" or constables, including the calendar priest Nahbeedo'ow-je'my:chi'mhaay. Apparently, when Mo'wonali' was chasing a Tzeltal brigand from the mountains to the east of the Isthmus, his magical regalia was destroyed and the Tzeltal landed a hex that should have killed Mo'wonali'. However, something in Mo'wonali '' s heart saved him, where spirit animals are believed to be kept.

The name indicates that Mo'wonali' has an extremely strong will, and the spirit animals which he holds in his body are able to protect him from evil. It also indicates that he can produce new ritualistic defenses which will mostly be focused on his soul. However, he has been unable to sharpen this power into something truly fearsome.