Cooperation with the Huni Kuin
Since 2013, Living Gaia e.V. has been working with the indigenous people of the Huni Kuin in the Jordão region in the Brazilian state of Acre.
It is our great concern to connect the knowledge and wisdom of the indigenous cultures of the Amazon with the knowledge and wisdom of western cultures. Especially in today's world, it is extremely important to bring the indigenous and the modern world together and to let something new emerge from the exchange.
That is why we are very happy about the close connection we have established with the Huni Kuin. The Huni Kuin, like many indigenous peoples in Brazil, are facing growing changes, threats and challenges. Especially in the last few years, we have witnessed the massive increase in violence, displacement, forest clearing, etc. Supporting the indigenous peoples on the ground and protecting the Amazon rainforest is a big task. We want to help the Huni Kuin to increase the lands attributed to them and to strengthen their culture, tradition and people. We are convinced that the indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon are and must be the central actors for the protection of this special habitat. Over hundreds of generations, they have not only protected the forest from exploitation and destruction, but have also played a concrete role in shaping this ecosystem. Since the beginning of our work, our focus has been mainly on the cooperation and empowerment of women.
Huni Kuin Acre: Rio Jordão und Rio Tarauacá
The Huni Kuin are an indigenous people in the Brazilian state of Acre and neighbouring Peru. They were only contacted at the beginning of the 20th century, have gone through various phases of suffering and have only narrowly escaped extinction. Today they are fighting to protect their culture, which is intertwined with the Amazon rainforest.
The Huni Kuin strive to pass on their diverse knowledge of the forest to future generations so that it is not lost. The forest means protection, shelter, food, and medicine and is the school of life. The Huni Kuin have recovered from the decimation of the forest.
Apart from everyday problems such as food shortages, drinking water pollution and inadequate medical care, it is the continuous loss of the forest that threatens the future of future generations.
The majority of the Huni Kuin now live sedentary lives in villages. Some uncontacted groups still lead a nomadic life. These isolados are particularly vulnerable to forest destruction.
There is an informative 30-minute film about the Huni Kuin and their history (in Portuguese with English subtitles).