Help Pinuya Village Build the First Women’s-only Shubuã

Hi family from around the world!

It’s on behalf of the women of Pinuya village and many who have been touched by the work and healing of the Huni Kuin women that we are creating this fundraiser to build a sacred house (Shubuã) only for women to come together, have women-only ceremonies, exchange ancestral wisdom, heal and rise as autonomous, empowered women and community leaders. This is a move to keep female indigenous wisdom alive and support the women from Pinuya village to strengthen and continue on their path as leaders, spiritual healers, weavers, and txanás (traditional singers, the spiritual warriors who heal their communities with their songs and dedication to their voice). As of today all the spaces are mixed, making it difficult for women to have a unique space to grow and evolve as female leaders.

For many years the Huni Kuin women weren’t allowed to walk on the path as shamans or leaders, and depended heavily on the men for survival and existence, having the sole duty to take care of their husband, their kids and all matters related to their home. Today there is more permission, but many are still heavily dependant on a man for survival without any prospects of life being any different.

This Shubuã being built is a unique space where only women will come together to learn the ancient traditional wisdom of their people, weave, create their arts and crafts, share knowledge amongst one another, and to continue their work rising as female spiritual leaders and healers for their community and to share with non-indigenous people in need of healing around the world. The construction of this Shubuã is an important step towards the empowerment of the Huni Kuin women and future generations of young girls from Pinuya Village, but let’s not forget the powerful impact of the message that will be shared with women from other Huni Kuin villages across the Amazon forest: there is a place and need for women to rise as leaders and it is possible. This Shubuã is a symbol of the Huni Kuin female uprising and part of a greater movement to call upon the divine feminine for guidance and healing during a time where convenience and technology is making it harder for indigenous people to keep their culture and traditions alive.

They have received some donations that has allowed the construction work to begin, but need more funds to help complete the project (see images below).

Why support the construction of this sacred space (Shubuã) only for women?

Preservation of Ancestral Knowledge: the construction of this space ensures the women’s spiritual knowledge as well as the knowledge of all the sacred medicinal plants of the forest, gets passed into future generations.

Female Autonomy & Empowerment: giving the women a space to gather gives them the opportunity to share ancestral knowledge, to practice their rituals only amongst women, to discuss strategies for the preservation of their culture and to guarantee their rights as women within their community. This paves the way for them to be autonomous from men and ensures they can provide for their families without depending on the presence of a man. Some women are raising their children in their own and it’s important that they can be autonomous.

Spiritual Reconnection: by supporting the construction of the Shubuã, you will become part of the feminine uprising of the Huni Kuin people, as well as a greater movement of culture and spiritual preservation of indigenous people as they face the challenges of contact with non-indigenous people.

Much gratitude on behalf of Mawa Isa Keneya, a group of female collective from Pinuya Village, and on behalf of everyone who will gratefully benefit from this union of Huni Kuin medicine women and spiritual leaders.

By supporting the Huni Kuin you are supporting the preservation of ancient ancestral wisdom that is healing many in this precise second, as well as the protection of the Amazon Rainforest.

This project is being directed by Same Huni Kuin, the leader of the Mawa Isa Keneya collective of Pinuya Village.

Deep gratitude for your support.

Haux haux!

Stefania, Elis, George and Winter