The Yawanawa
are the indigenous tribe from the Amazon (western) region, spread across
Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. They are currently concentrated in Tarauaca region in
Acre (Brazil) surrounded by dangerous ranchers/farmers who constantly pour
threats to their survival. In Yaminawá language, Yawanawa signifies as "People of the Axe". 
The Yawanawa rituals, dances, songs, clothing, art
works and body painting are of unique significance and popularity. The Shamans,
the masters of holy medicines are known for assembling medicinal and
sacramental plants to cure various diseases like insomnia, snake bite, fertility,
skin diseases, fever, body pain, diarrhea and a list of diseases.
The tribe had a longing history of struggle for restoring
cultural traditions and preserving the Amazonian rain forest from illicit occupation.
The Yawanawa had vulnerable and yet nasty "tug of war" against the
rubber extractors/loggers and farmers (cattle, soybeans..etc.). During this
period Yawanawa were made slaves, and underwent intense suffering, but they
managed to get rid of the cradle and had their land demarcated in the Acre
state in Brazil.
Apart, for over 3 decades the tribe had invasions by the religious missionaries who
destroyed their cultural and religious traditions. The missionaries shunned
(banned) the Shamans and were sent exile into the deep forest. Eventually, the
Yawanawa was able to tacitly dismiss the missionaries and brought back the
exiled shamans
The Project Yawanawa is an initiative to
preserve and demonstrate the cultural essence of Yawanawa tribe and also the
Amazon related issues faced by other tribes, flora and fauna. The project consists
of a group of people from various backgrounds with similar interest and their
objective is to generate a revenue source aiming at the empowerment of Yawanawa
by not damaging their rituals, heritage and lifestyle. The project is structured
into various phases with clear objectives and the project requires support from
individuals or corporates through donations or other sources. Various programs
have been installed like exhibitions, presentations and courses which focus on
the ethnic practices, medicines, artwork and traditions.
Every year a large area of rainforest disappears and the
proportion of the destruction is unimaginable. The colossal destruction is
triggered in a motive to boast the economic growth and the Brazilian government
has done little. The Amazon rainforest is an integral part of the ecology and
living beings associated with them. It is our responsibility to protect this
precious rain forest and provide sustainable solutions.
