Meeting the Guardians of the Forest
Cultural exchange with the Indigenous Huni Kuin Women from the Amazon
An intimate evening with the Huni Kuin, featuring song, story, ancestral arts, and an introduction to the medicine of Rapéh.
This program is an invitation to connect across cultures through dialogue and ceremony in collaboration with the Huni Kuin women from the Brazilian Amazon.
As guardians of ancestral knowledge and the rainforest itself, the Huni Kuin women carry profound wisdom in the realms of healing, community, and ecological balance. Their voices, stories, and practices give rare insight into ways of living that are rooted in reciprocity, relationality, and respect for the natural world.
By participating, you are entering a space of shared learning and meaningful exchange and also support the cultural resilience of the Huni Kuin and contributing to the protection of the forest they call home.
Timetable
17:30 Doors open
18:00 Arrival & Opening Circle
18:30 Conversation with the Huni Kuin: Living in the Forest & Their Story
19:00
• Introduction to the Medicine of Rapéh
• Rapéh Circle (optional participation)
20:30
• Traditional Body Painting (optional participation)
• Forest Songs: Learning and Listening to Their Meanings
21:30 Closing Reflection
22:00 End
Registration
Contribution: 79€
Solidarity: 55€* (sliding scale)
*We have limited spots available, reserved for those facing financial difficulties. As capacity is limited, we kindly ask that only those who truly need support select this option.
Location: Studio A, Hamburg (at the heart of Hamburg, Schanzenviertel)
Time: 18:00 – 22:00 (doors open from 17:30)
Includes: snacks, tea, water, and all materials
The Huni Kuin
The Huni Kuin are an Indigenous people of the Amazon, living in Acre, Brazil, and neighboring Peru, whose culture is deeply rooted in the Amazon rainforest. After first contact in the early 20th century, they faced violence, displacement, and the threat of cultural and physical eradication. Today, they actively protect their ancestral knowledge, spiritual traditions, and land. The Huni Kuin women are cultural leaders: artists, healers, and guardians of memory who use their practices to strengthen community and resist erasure.
Read more about the Huni Kuin who will be at the event:
Bunke Huni Kuin
Bunke Inani Huni Kuin lives in the village of Boa Vista at the Jordão River in Acre, Brazil. She has 5 children and is a cultural leader of the women in her region. She has travelled a lot in Latin America, Europe, and the Near East, passing on her culture and traditions and calling for more Indigenous wisdom in the world. Bunke also works with other Indigenous Peoples, sharing the Huni Kuin wisdom and Medicine to strengthen the Indigenous identities. She is an experienced workshop and retreat facilitator with a strong focus on women's empowerment. Bunke is co-founder and president of the women's association Ainbu Dayá.
Rita Huni Kuin
Rita Huni Kuin lives in the remote village of Jordão in the state of Acre in the Brazilian Amazon. She is a visual artist, depicting traditional stories of her culture in her art. Her works have been exposed in the Sao Paulo Museum of modern art and at Berlin Art week, amongst others. Rita is one of the major young female representatives and communicators of the Huni Kuin people. She is co-founder of the Kayatibu group. which promotes the culture and spirituality of its people through the arts, and of the Indigenous women's association Ainbu Dayá!
Bismaní Huni Kuin
Bismani Huni Kuin is a 19-year-old from the village of Novo Naral. She is the granddaughter of Ozélia, a highly respected female leader and medicine woman in the region. Bismani walks the path of both student and teacher; she learns traditional songs and medicinal knowledge from her elders and shares them with the younger generations in her village. Currently, she lives in Rio Branco, the capital of Acre, where she continues her studies. She is deeply committed to seeking knowledge and carrying her culture forward.
Meet the Team
For this collaboration, The Essence Of by Ada Friedrich is joining forces with the Huni Kuin Women and Living Gaia e.V., a non-profit organisation. Living Gaia e.V. works primarily in the Brazilian Amazon, focusing on protecting primary forest and collaborating with the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in the Jordão region in the Brazilian state of Acre. They promote cultural exchange and raise awareness in Europe about the challenges the Amazon region is facing.
Ada Friedrich
THE ESSENCE OF
Regenerative Coach, Trauma therapist & Facilitator
Jaci Meinhold
LIVING GAIA E.V.
Psychologist, Co-founder of Aibu Dayá Association in Brazil
Simon Knoop
LIVING GAIA E.V.
Environmental Educator, Project Manager
FAQ
On this website you find even a bit more information about the event, the Huni Kuin and pratcitcalities in german language:
https://www.adafriedrich.com/work/guardians-of-the-forest
In which language is this program conducted?
German (English if needed) and Portuguese. The Huni Kuin Women are speaking Hatxa Kuin and Portuguese, which will be translated to German (English if needed). The facilitation of the experiences is conducted in German (English if needed).
My main language is english, can I still join?
Absolutely. We can provide english translation for basic parts, you will feel comfortable, as this exchange goes beyond words.
Is previous experience needed?
No, you are welcome to join. Bring your curiosity and openness.
What should I bring?
A water bottle. Comfortable clothing. A notebook. An additional cushion to sit (if you have).
What is the cancellation policy?
In the event that you are unable to attend, we cannot guarantee a refund. A partial refund of 50% may be possible up to 3 days before the event, but only if your spot can be filled by someone else. You are also welcome to transfer your spot to another person.