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A Look at the Ancestral Bond between People and Nature at the Brazililian Embassy in Berlin

“Eskawată Kayawai: The Spirit of Transformation” explores the Huni Kuin's cultural renaissance

October 01st, 2024
Claudia Capanema, News from Berlin
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On September 27th, the Brazilian Embassy in Berlin hosted the screening of “Eskawatã Kayawai: The Spirit of Transformation”, a documentary film born from a seven-year project of research and visits to the Huni Kuin villages of the Humaitá River Indigenous Land and beyond, deep in the Brazilian Amazon. This pilgrimage resulted in a feature film that depicts the reconnection of the Huni Kuin people to their roots and essence, tracing a path back to their natural way of life.

After enduring decades of slavery and oppression, the Huni Kuin were once forbidden to live their true identity. However, over the past 20 years, guided by their spiritual leader Ninawá Pai da Mata and other revered figures, the communities of the Humaitá Indigenous Land have been restoring their cultural heritage. They have prayed, practiced, and remembered their ancient ways, fueling a cultural renaissance.

The film was directed and shot by filmmakers Lara Jacoski, who presented the documentary to the audience, and Patrick Belem. Both directors lived with and immersed themselves in the Huni Kuin way of life, documenting the profound cultural resurgence of this people. Their work captures a community standing at the height of their cultural expression, a testament to resilience and fortitude emerging from the Amazon, now resonating across the globe in transformative times.

The Kaxinawá people, who self-identify as Huni Kuin, are the most populous indigenous group in Acre, Brazil, with 16,000 members, alongside an additional 2,000 living in the Peruvian rainforest. The film is set in the Huni Kuin villages of the Kaxinawá Humaitá River Indigenous Land, which was officially demarcated in 1996. These villages lie along the Humaitá River, at the heart of the Brazilian Amazon in Acre state.

The film's chapters flow with a natural, unhurried rhythm, much like a river winding its way through the forest. The cinematography and sound design offer a rich sensory experience, delighting both the eyes and ears. The characters featured in the film are provided with a personal, thoughtful space to share their stories, allowing them to express both their strength and vulnerability.

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