Nawapanã, Maná and Neshane Huni Kuin (from right) visiting in August 2023, photo Julian Jaeger
Visit 2023
We had the pleasure of receiving a visit from the Huni Kuin and our Brazilian friend Rodrigo in August 2023 and were able to organize a workshop on the traditional craft of weaving.
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 create 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 us in the global north, since many of our ancient traditions were long forgotten. 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
Nawapanã Huni Kuin
Nawapanã Huni Kuin is the son of Inkamuru, an important spiritual leader of his people, and has been learning from his father for many years. Through his years of study, he already has a wealth of experience and shares this on his travels in Brazil, Mexico and Europe. In his village, he works with the youth as a spiritual leader. He was chosen for this by his community and the elders because he is a special txana (performance xaman).
Zenira 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.
Maná Huni Kuin
Txana Maná is the husband of Zenira Neshane. He is a teacher at the village school in his tribe 'Novo Segredo' and an important leader in his village, one of the most remote in the indigenous land of the Jordao River. He is involved in education and culture through cultural exchange projects and the authorial production of didactic teaching materials. Maná learned a lot from his father and father-in-law, the Pajé Sabino Dua Ixã, about the spirituality of his people. He carries a great knowledge of the different histories of his people.
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.
Woven stories
A traditional Huni Kuin workshop
The Huni Kuin women are the guardians of their people's ancient knowledge of sacred geometries (Kené) and traditional handicrafts. 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 and body painting. The Kené appear with a wide variety of motifs, inspired by the geometric patterns of nature. Aim of Woven Stories is to introduce participants to the cosmovision of the Amazon people through textile art and to explore songs, graphics, stories and prayers related to the theme.
