Aho!

I went to a sweat lodge ceremony called a Temazcal. It was hot, and very cramped. I was a little underwhelmed during the ceremony but felt absolutely reborn the next day. During the ceremony they used the word, "Aho" a lot. When a hot rock was passed into the tent, the sweaters would yell "Aho!" when someone would share or sing, "Aho!" when the shaman poured water to create more steam or sprinkled incense to make the rocks sparkle, "Aho! Aho! Aho!" I didn't Aho! myself because I didn't know the word or what it meant. After the ceremony, I asked around. One person said it was something like "amen" but without the connotation of prayer. Someone else said that it had a meaning in between "hello" and "thank you" - a grateful welcoming. I like it.  I will raise my "Aho!" and voice my welcome for what comes at the next one. Kind of a shamanic version of "Thank you sir, may I have another!" Also, Carol has returned to me, "Aho!"