Yawanawá Vivência: Bridging Cultures, Weaving Worlds

Kenewma comes from a long lineage of powerful spiritual leaders and strong women. Her mother, Chief Naiweni Mariazinha was the first female leader of the Yawanawá people and her father, Chief Biraci Nixiwaka, is a strong leader of her people and Aldeia Sagrada.

She is a student who was initiated into one of the strongest spiritual studies within her culture, the diet of the Muka, which is a study many of her people do not attempt. She was the first youth and the third woman in the history of her people to enter this diet.

She is devoted to walking the Yawanawá path of knowledge and innately carries a strong spiritual force within. Kenewma is deeply devoted to the health and well-being of her tribe. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, mother and father, she both helps and supports the village in any way she can.

She lives in Bahia, Brazil with her husband Jordaõ de Souza, her son Muka, and her daughter (who was just born) Muka Vimi. They are building a retreat center and village on the land of Guanashe. She is an incredibly gifted artist making painted clothing and prints and is known for her powerful voice.

Jordão Souza was born in 1993 in Rio de Janeiro. Since childhood he has been connected to the Amazon Rainforest. He is the grandson of Padrinho Sebastião Mota de Melo, a well-known religious leader in the Santo Daime tradition. At an early age he was exposed to Amazonian shamanism and spirituality.

He first made contact with the Yawanawá in 2009 where he immersed himself within their culture, art, and music. As well as studying Yawanawá medicinal plant knowledge and spirituality with the tribe’s elders. Jordão was the last student initiated by Pajé Tata (a great spiritual teacher and healer). 

He is committed to working towards the preservation and continuation of the indigenous cultures ancient traditional knowledge.  Due to the transformation he experienced within the Yawanawá culture he feels a responsibility to give people around the globe an opportunity to do the same. To share what he has learned in the ways of the indigenous cultures who have thrived within the Amazon Rainforest for millennia. 

He is currently focused upon the development of a research and healing center called Guananshe Sanctuary in Bahia, Brazil.  The intention is to merge plant medicine indigenous ancestral knowledge with worldwide visitors and scientists. 

Jordão also assists in various project within the Yawanawá Villages such as the Nipei: Garden of Medicines (assisting the Yawanawá people to give continuity to the knowledge and practice of the many medicinal healing plants as well as their treatments) and the Food Sovereignty Project (the implementation of a regenerative food system within the village).

Jordão lives in Bahia, Brazil with his wife Kenewma Yawanawá, and his children Mukaihu and Mukavimi. He is a talented musician and creative artist.  

Translator, guide and student of Yawawaná spirituality.

Angelique was born in a small town in the very south of Louisiana. She has spent the past 10 years working directly with the Yawanawá tribe in the Acre Region of the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. 

Angelique, whose indigenous given name is Pekuruni, represents an indigenous-led company called Ni Yushin. Ni Yushin is a Yawanawá word meaning Spirit of the Forest. The focus is on empowering the original people as the natural guardians of their environment, as well as bringing the spirit of the forest into the hearts of humanity.  

Ni Yushin's intention is to empower the original people through sharing their rich culture, indigenous arts, sacred designs, and ancient wisdom. The heart of its mission is to ensure both the continuation and preservation of medicinal plants as well as their powerful healing potential.

Shaina (Nai) has been deeply touched by the Yawanawá culture and seeks to help spread the spirituality and visions of their people by upliftment.  She is a steward of Ni Yushin and is looking to help bring the Spirit of the Forest to the people of the United States.