Triunfo do Xingu, living with indigenous groups

By destiny’s irony, I met Anna Terra Yalawapiti because we have the same name. Actually, not by satire; I prefer to believe some things happen for a higher reason. And I can perfectly explain why I tried so hard for this invite I finally (and happily) got.

The Triunfo do Xingu is the biggest and one of the slices most deforested in the Amazon, without mentioning the pastures. Ranchers seeking to expand their landholdings are creeping deeper and deeper into the forest, home to 16 different ethnicities.

Add to all of it the miners and the roads, also invading simultaneously. And clearing the Amazon Rainforest and its transition zones into biomes, such as the Cerrado $317 billion per year, per a World Bank report released in May.

And that’s why when I come here to speak about my travel, I am not promoting myself; I am helping to promote the Brazilian indigenous community in another language, the original owners of our lands who spend their lives preserving our forests and fighting against the greedy ones.

The National India Foundation was expelled from there last year, but I had the honour of being invited by Anna Terra. She invited me to an annual event made by indigenous people, and for indigenous people, this time even more unique because it will debut their Cultural House Umatalhi.

The program will allow only 15 non-indigenous guests to participate in cultural activities, body painting, religious ceremonies, bonfire dances, parties and chatting circles for their own exchange of knowledge; and for us to be able to ask them any questions we want. And we are talking about a gathering of many different ethnicities, like Yalawapiti, Shavorã, Yawanawá, Kayapó, Xavanti and more!

The money is destined straight to help these communities. Just in the Xingu, there are 16, plus those in Acre. But we also will receive benefits that cannot be bought, by living with them, learning and understanding their lifestyle in the untouched areas of our forests that are still remaining; thanks to their fight and efforts, we will share their happy memories.

This trip is suited to open-minded people who value spirituality and want to live authentic experiences. They are not a human safari. They are our equals, like it supposed to be.💛

If you are a journalist, a photographer or an environment advocate, think about ways you could help us, and please, contact me.

To all of those suffering for the right causes. To those open to learning with differences and to love. I invite YOU 💛

Link for my trip