News
“Hands of Women” Meeting
One of Takiwasi's functions is to act as Chakaruna (men-bridges), especially between the indigenous world and the Western world. Takiwasi manages different projects with Amazonian indigenous groups with the aim of recovering and strengthening their cultural roots, and safeguarding their environment.
In this sense, in May 2024, Takiwasi welcomed a group of 12 indigenous women leaders from Ecuador, from different Amazonian ethnic groups: Siona, Waorani, Cofán, Siekopai, and from the Cayambi community in the Ecuadorian highlands. This activity is part of a work they have been doing with the Alianza Ceibo Foundation (social organization), OWAP-Organization Waorani de Pastaza (governing council of 22 Waorani communities) and Amazon Frontlines (NGO), whose common goal is the defense of their territory and how to confront violence coming from both outside (illegal mining and logging, invasion of oil companies in their territory, etc.) and from within their own communities (especially high rates of alcoholism and sexual abuse). Contact with Western society inevitably changes their own dynamics and often to the detriment of their own culture, lifestyle, beliefs, traditions, practices and the way they relate as a family.
With an intense and substantial 10-day program, with plant intakes and various rituals and workshops, these warrior women who emerged as leaders or representatives of their communities, immersed themselves in an inner journey to confront their personal sufferings and blockages through a process that was both individual and collective. From this, they were able to better look at their suffering sisters and brothers and gain perspective and strength, sensitivity and guidance, to work for the improvement of the living conditions in their communities. It has been a very meaningful work, of support, collaboration and, above all, of reconnection with their roots, spirituality and territory.
This group of women have recognized and discovered that their body is the first territory to recover, and they have become aware of the importance of traditional medicine in their personal work and with their communities. They leave grateful and surprised to find in Takiwasi a space of great respect for the ancestral form of healing and the use of Amazonian plants. It is expected that this same process will be repeated with other representatives of indigenous groups (teachers, young adults, etc.).
