Dona Txima Huni Kuin

Dona Txima, elder of the Espelho da Vida Village (Acre, Brazil), is a revered traditional shaman, master of Huni Kuin artistry, and a powerful force in the revival of her people’s sacred wisdom. At a time when the ancestral knowledge of the Huni Kuin was fading, with few practitioners left to carry it forward, she took it upon herself to seek its restoration.

Traveling across indigenous lands, Dona Txima immersed herself in the teachings of her ancestors, deepening her understanding and reconnecting with traditions that were at risk of being lost. Upon returning to her village, she became a guiding light for the women of her community, sharing this wisdom and ensuring its survival for future generations.

With a vision to empower women and protect cultural and environmental heritage, Dona Txima founded the Keneya Xarabu Collective in 2022 alongside a small group of Huni Kuin women from Espelho da Vida. The Collective was created to foster socio-environmental female entrepreneurship, strengthen cultural identity, and generate income through the sharing of knowledge, autonomy, and traditional art.

In May 2023, during the first Women’s Meeting of the Humaitá River, the Collective expanded its participation to include women from neighbouring villages. This gathering marked a significant step in building a resilient, inter-village network rooted in collaboration, leadership, and cultural preservation.

Through her leadership in the Keneya Xarabu Collective, Dona Txima continues to embody the resilience and strength of the Huni Kuin people—uniting tradition with innovation, and guiding a new generation of women toward empowerment and collective sustainability.