Event Description

We invite you to join us for a special evening with the Huni Kuin People of the Brazilian Amazon. We have the honor and joy of receiving Spiritual leaders Biruany & Txana Tuwe, The evening will include a Q&A discussion with the Huni Kuin, followed by live music expressed in both traditional and contemporary forms, creating a space of celebration, culture, and connection. Participants will also have the chance to shop at the Indigenous Mercado.

The Huni Kuin People

The Huni Kuin, also known as “The True People” and/or “People of the Smoke,” are an Indigenous people that live in the Brazilian state of Acre and the border of Peru. They are part of the Pano linguistic family, which includes other indigenous groups in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. The Huni Kuin have a rich cultural heritage that includes shamanism, storytelling, music, and art. With a population of more than 25,000 people, they have one of the largest populations of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil. Their territory is spread over 5 municipalities (Tarauaca, Feijó, Santa Rosa, Jordão, and Marechal Thaumaturgo) and over 100 villages. They have faced many challenges throughout their history, including colonization by the Catholic Church and land invasions/theft and forced labor by rubber tappers and miners, but after many years of resistance and fighting for their rights, and a process of rediscovering their ancestral wisdom and practices, they are now in a new era. An era of Indigenous rights, defending and revitalizing their culture, and spreading their messages as stewards of the rainforest all around the world, as a stand against climate change. They're now dedicated to preserving and reviving their rich heritage with festivals, gatherings, and the passing of wisdom from elders to the youth. They're renowned for their plant medicine expertise and have inspired interest in their traditions worldwide as well as respect for their contribution to Amazon conservation. Today, many of their leaders travel the world forming alliances with organizations, activists, artists, and supporters to share their music and culture, secure economic advancement for their people, and advocate for the preservation of the Amazon Rainforest.

Biruany

Biruany Huni Kuin (@samiabiruany) is a prominent spiritual leader who combines leadership, spirituality, and women's empowerment within her cultural context, deep in the Brazilian Amazon. As a representative of a collective of female spiritual leaders from Novo Futuro village, she holds a pivotal role within her community, where she leads and oversees spiritual practices rooted in healing through plant medicine. Biruany is widely recognized for her groundbreaking achievements, notably as the first Huni Kuin woman to lead traditional ceremonies and conduct pioneering studies, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations. Beyond her village, Biruany's influence transcends borders. 

Txana Tuwe

Txana Tuwe Huni Kuin is an experienced and respected leader of the Huni Kuin people, born and raised in Novo Futuro Village. Tuwe is known for his strong commitment to his indigenous heritage and for carrying a very strong ancestral presence after undertaking many spiritual diets from his tradition. With the trust and respect of both his community and elders, he embodies a deep connection to the wisdom and traditions passed down through generations, rooted in his years of experience with plant medicine and other ancestral practices of his people. Tuwe has traveled to many continents spreading the messages of the forest. Together with his sister Biruany, he advocates for the recognition and preservation of indigenous traditions, sharing the Huni Kuin culture and spirituality not only within Brazil but also globally.

Nawabu Culture

Nawabu Culture is a fiscally sponsored LLC social impact organization with a mission to bring about transformative social change through Indigeneity, arts and culture, community, and spirituality. We partner with Indigenous leaders from the Brazilian Amazon and support them in cultural preservation, creating economic opportunities, and amplifying their environmental stewardship through a variety of projects. Nawabu’s work is also aimed at creating sacred spaces for healing and solidarity across communities for individual and collective liberation. 

Follow Nawabu Culture on Instagram @nawabuculture
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