The self-claimed Huni Kuin (meaning true people) are based in the Humaitá River, in the state of Acre, Brazil. Their history is one of resilience. Ever since the arrival of the first colonizers, the Huni Kuin have faced near extinction. For a long time, they were forbidden from practicing their traditions, speaking their language, or expressing their culture. Many of their elders were forced to hide their knowledge, and much of it was lost.
Over the last 20 years, the Huni Kuin have fought to reclaim their identity and reconnect with their roots. In just two decades, they have regained their language, their customs, and their way of life.
For this community to thrive and for their legacy to continue, the elders play a critical role. The Huni Kuin refer to their elders as “living libraries”— the keepers of the cultural and scientific knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. But this wisdom is increasingly under threat.