The Chiejaus was a veritable school for tribal customs, norms and knowledge necessary for the survival of the community. A fundamental principle in the life of these canoeists was learned:
"We, men and women, first of all must be good and useful to the community ".
The Chiejaus took place every five years and all the adolescents assisted. A marma, or cabin, was constructed for the occasion; the size of which depended on the number of godfathers, disciples and teachers.
The heads of families decided on the site where the marma was to be built, many months before.
This Yagán school could last up to five months, since its duration was not predetermined.
They proceeded as follows:
The director of the ceremony painted his body white with cross-sectional red lines. The participants were adorned with spots and lines of colours that represented different supernatural beings from the Yagán world.