YAWANAWA – JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

Biraci Nixiwaka is one of the most relevant indigenous leaders of our time. He has dedicated his life to reclaiming his people’s ancient culture and spirituality. After reconquering the rights over their ancestral territory, Nixiwaka, alongside his family, led the opening of their culture to the outside world. It’s main element is the Yawa Festival, which is held annually since 2002 in the village of Nova Esperança (“New Hope”). In the past years he has spent most of his time in the Sacred Village, dedicated to spirituality and healing, receiving teachings from the elders, in order to carry on the Yawanawa legacy. In his few journeys out of his village to represent his people, he’s also visited other spiritual leaders around the world and has partaken in the sharing of many cultural traditions.

Daughter of the legendary Yawanawa leader Tuin Kuru, Putanny and her sister Hushahu were the first women of the Yawanawa nation to receive the highest spiritual initiation from the elders. They earned their communities’ respect as spiritual leaders, opening the way into this sacred path for other Yawanawá women. It was a break in tradition that united the male and female universe, and brought the magic of feminine spirituality to strengthen the Yawanawá culture. For this achievement, they received a commendation from the Brazilian senate as recognition of their important role in Brazilian women’s empowerment.

Putanny has an incredible voice and presence, representing her people’s ancestry. She spent a good portion of the past years in the Sacred Village, where she organizes spiritual retreats.

Peû is one of the most devoted spiritual leaders from the younger generation of the Yawanawa people. He committed to the sacred samakei (diet), the Yawanawa’s highest spiritual initiation, for five consecutive years. In this period he received direct teachings from the elders Tata and Yawa, who have recently passed away.

His studies with the elders brought exceptional strength to his work with the sacred healing prayers of his ancestry. Today Peû is responsible for preparing and serving the medicines in the Sacred Village. He is also a talented musician, and has traveled to Europe, North America and Asia sharing Yawanawa spirituality.

Nawashahu is the eldest daughter of Putanny and Biraci Nixiwaka. She has been brought up to become a leader. Nawa and her sister Ykashahu have been very dedicated to their studies of Yawanawa spirituality, dieting with the elders and always seeking to learn more from the leaders of the tribe. Nawashahu is a guardian of this knowledge and a very talented singer, who has accompanied her parents in their work and travels outside the villages since early ages.

Are the youngest daughter and son of Biraci Nixiwaka and Putanny. They come from a long lineage of indigenous leaders and medicine men, and are being raised as such by their parents. They both sing their traditional songs and Mukashahu also plays the guitar, flute and charango. They have been accompanying their family in their travels and prayers around the world.

Wakia Un Manee is a full blooded Klamath/Modoc native of North America, medicine man, sundancer and leader of the Vision Quest and Inipi (Sweat Lodge) ceremony. 

From a young age he was brought up with the Lakota and Ojibway, so his work has been largely influenced by the traditions and culture of these two nations. Wakia graduated in psychology and political sciences and also studied theology. He founded and developed non-profit charitable organizations within various communities. As an activist, Wakia stood on the front lines, fought and defended the rights of native peoples, as well as environmental and ecological issues. His work is focused on empowering people to recognize and understand their own capabilities.

Adriana Ocelot is a medicine woman, sweat lodge leader, sun dancer in Tamoanchan ñ Mexico and Crow Dog’s Paradise – USA, leader of Vision Quest,moon dancer at Ollintlahuimeztli in Teotihuacan – México. Guardian of a RedMoon Temple for women’s retreats, healer in traditional native technique and in the use of medicinal plants.