Huni Kuin Besuch 2024 | Erdbewegung-e.V.

Nixiwaka, Dua Ixã Sabino and Neshane Huni Kuin (from left) visiting in June 2024, photo Julian Jaeger

Visit 2024

We had the pleasure of receiving another visit from the Huni Kuin and our Brazilian friend Rodrigo in June 2024 and were able to organize two workshops - a workshop on the traditional craft of weaving "woven stories" and a workshop on the traditional Hãpaya baptism (initiation ritual for the Txana, more info below). The aim of the workshops is to give participants an insight into the traditions of the Amazon people and to engage in cultural exchange. Through this form of meeting space, we want to support the Huni Kuin in networking worldwide and creating platforms where they can share their knowledge and wisdom, which contributes to the preservation of their traditions. Knowledge and wisdom that in turn can enrich and grow us in the global north. In addition, these platforms can be used by the Huni Kuin themselves to talk first-hand about the problems and challenges in the forest and to form alliances.

The crew introduces itself

Neshane Huni Kuin

Zenira Neshane is the daughter of Maria Sabino Huni Kuin and Sabino Dua Ixã Huni Kuin, two very important leaders of her people. Zenira soon began learning with her mother about traditional crafts, graphic patterns, plants, cooking, spirituality and the knowledge of women within the tradition. Neshane is also one of the few women recognized as a Pajé (shaman) in her people.

Sabino Dua Ixa

Ixã Sabino is an elder who holds both political and spiritual leadership of his village of Novo Segredo, the highest river village in the Jordão indigenous territory of Acre, Brazil. He learned from the great masters of the Huni Kuin people and became one of the greatest pajés (shamans) and masters of the huni meka (ceremonial songs) of the Huni Kuin people, and today he teaches the next generations.

Nixiwaka Huni Kuin

Txana Nixiwaka Huni Kuin belongs to the younger generation of txanas (performance shamans) and is a student of Ixã Sabino. Since childhood he has dedicated himself to studying the traditional songs of his people and is also very skilled in drawing and painting. He is married to one of Sabino Dua Ixã's granddaughters and was invited by Sabino to leave his village for the first time to represent his people and their culture.

Rodrigo Moreira

Rodrigo is a psychologist and archaeologist born and raised in Brazil. He has been working with the Huni Kuin people on various levels for 15 years, accompanying them on their travels around the world. He is one of the founders of the Guardiões Huni Kuin group in Rio de Janeiro and a founding member of the Instituto Guardiões da Floresta.

Hãpaya

The Chilli Baptism

The "chili baptism" Hãpaya is the very sacred initiation ritual of the Huni Kuin people to become a Txana. Txana are called in the Huni Kuin tribe those who "carry the sweetest songs" and are the best singers. They are specialists in the traditional chants that lead the songs in rituals, ceremonies and other festivities. The name comes from an Amazon bird (yellow-backed cockatiel) known for perfectly imitating all the sounds in its environment and which is called Txana in Hatxa Kuî (the native language of the Huni-Kuin).

During the baptism, the shaman uses the tip of the dried Txana bird to apply crushed chili to the initiate's tongue while singing and praying. Through the spirit of the Txana bird, this ritual can help us open our larynx. Recommended for people who want to become masters of their own voices, singing and praying. Hãpaya improves the voice, brings benefits for communication and self-expression, as well as for memory.

Photos Julian Jaeger, Videos Clara Hartung

Woven Stories

A traditional weaving workshop

The Huni Kuin women are the guardians of their people's ancient knowledge of sacred geometries (Kené) and traditional crafts. Weaving is present in the Huni Kuin culture in the production of clothing, jewelry and hammocks and is an important female activity. Huni Kuin graphics, called " Kené " in the Hatxa Kuin language, are used in handicrafts as well as in body painting. The Kené appear with a wide variety of motifs inspired by the geometric patterns of nature. The aim of Woven Stories is to introduce participants to the cosmovision of the Amazonian people through textile art and to explore songs, graphics, stories and prayers related to the theme.