Strengthening Traditional Medicine at the Xipai Women’s Meeting
As we know, nothing lasts forever, but when you plant a seed, it will grow and bear fruit, so that is what we are seeding now. Today, we planted a seed in the heart of each mother, each aunt, each young woman, so that later they can allow this seed to grow—that is, pass it along to future generations what they are learning now. – Maria Lúcia Xipaia de Carvalho, President of Juma Institute
In August 2024, Juma Institute held the first Meeting of Indigenous Xipai Women and Riverine at the Kaarimã village in the Xipaya Territory. This joyful event’s focus was to unite and strengthen women's ancestral knowledge, promote cultural practices, and encourage the exchange of knowledge between communities of the Xipaya Indigenous territory and its partners.
Across the three-day event, there were discussion circles about intergenerational exchange, talks around health and mutual support, and sharing of life stories and experiences. The president of the Juma Institute, Maria Lúcia Xipaia de Carvalho, also contributed her knowledge acquired over 15 years working with medicinal plants collected in the forest, assisting everyone in need.
SAMA-HIH has been working with the Xipaya since its activities began in Brazil in 2020. Projects include cultural strengthening, the development of a traditional medicine center, environmental management, institutional strengthening, a product processing plant for items such as Brazil nuts, and forest economy viability support and study. Members of SAMA-HIH were present at the women’s circle to learn more from communities and play a supporting role in facilitation.
We thank the communities involved for allowing us to share these images, videos, and insights from this event, the Kaarimã village, who hosted this celebration of the importance of cultural preservation, and all the Xipaya people, who have been SAMA-HIH’s partners since its beginnings.
This event video was produced by the Sekamena Network of Young Xipai Communicators, with translation and subtitles by Health In Harmony. Event partners include SAMA-HIH, Juma Institute, DSEI (Indigenous Health District), Synergia Socioambiental (outsourced by North Energy), and Indigenous Association Pyjahyry Xipaia.