YAWANAWA – SEPTEMBER 1st WEEK RETREAT

Rasu is grandson of the great medicine man and xinaya Tata Txanu Natasheini, who was one of the greatest wise men of the people. Rasu was raised and chosen by Tata to be his successor and he currently has a very important role in the Mutum village, leading the ceremonies and its organization alongside Chief Matsini. Rasu has a powerful voice and is a very talented musician and representative of the Yawanawá people, who fluently speaks the Yawanawá language and completed the highest initiation of the Muká diet.

Xikuvimi is Rasu’s cousin and chief Matsini’s niece, has completed spiritual diets of the Yawanawá people and is one of the representatives of the young generation of the Mutum Village. She has a powerful and beautiful voice and sings both the traditional chants and the ones with the instruments.

Tsatsa Wanu Yawanaw· is the daughter of the great shaman and xinaya Tata Txanu Natasheini, who was one of the greatest wise men of the people. Tata dedicated his whole life to spirituality and was a great teacher of Yawanawa prayers, chants and shenipahu (traditional stories). TsatsaWanu took care of her father and accompanied him all his life, and is a great guardian of his knowledge with her family and children, such as the young Rasu, grandson whom Tata chose to care for deep teachings. Tsatsa is also one of the greatest artists of the people. She has a powerful and incredible voice, is a great connoisseur and performer of the songs, as well as a very talented painter of the Yawanaw· kenes (sacred drawings).

Turuyumê is Nainawá’s daughter who is a medicine man of the plants of Nova Esperança Village. Turuyumê os Rasu’s wife, assists him in the conduction of the ceremonies and has a very beautiful voice thus bringing a powerful female energy in the works. Turuyumê is also a very talented artist and painter of the sacred designs of the Yawanawá people.

Yuata is Rasu’s brother and has also learnedfrom the great medicine men Tatá, who along with his peer Yawarani were responsible for keeping Yawanawa
spirituality during the domination of the protestants. Tuata is among the young Yawanawa who are the future of the nation’s spirituality, who dedicate themselves in following the footsteps of their ancestors and thus the preservation and flourishment of their people. Tuata is a singer of the
traditional songs and also the ones adapted to the instruments, assisting Rasu in the conduction of the ceremonies.

Husêma is Tsa Tsa Wanu’s husband and for the first time traveling with Rasu for the conduction of ceremonies. He is a member of New Hope Village and active member of Iskukua’s project Isku Vakehu, which trains the young Yawanawa in the language and spiritual tradition of the nation. Husêma is a singer of the traditional chants, excellent drum player, painter of the sacred designs and craftsman.

Payrãni is a young Yawanawa that represents the spirituality of her people
through the songs, instruments and the guitar. She is a member of New Hope
Village and active member of Iskukua’s project Isku Vakehu, which trains the young Yawanawa in the language and spiritual tradition of the nation.

Anihu is Rasu’s brother and is one of the main supports that Rasu counts on in his works in his conduction of the ceremonies and works at the Mutum Village. He is a great singer and representative of the young generation of the Yawnawá people.

Natashãini is son of Rasu and Turuyumê and among the Yawanawa children being
raised in their tradition since they were born, a privilege the generation
of their grandparents did not have due to the domination of the protestants.
The raining of their children in the tradition is the hope of the continuity
of the Yawanawá legacy.

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.