ETHNOMAPPING WORKSHOPS IN INDIGENOUS LANDS
May 1-21, 2023
Considering that ethnomapping initiatives allow AAFIs and their communities a broader view of the complex reality in which they live, the workshops taught by Renato Gavazzi primarily addressed food sovereignty and reforestation in Indigenous Lands through Community Environmental and Territorial Management. Reflections and planning of reforestation actions and strategies focused on the management of their lands and their surroundings were conducted. Ethnomapping initiatives are processes that have contributed to the consolidation of territorial and environmental management plans in many Indigenous Lands in Brazil, as they are instruments aimed at planning and programming the use of Indigenous territory, productive activities, the organization of human settlements, and the development of Indigenous societies in harmony with the natural potential of their lands. Therefore, mapping the territory is an exercise in exploring Indigenous people's perspectives on the socio-environmental problems that affect them and seeking possible solutions to address them (Gavazzi, 2011, 2020).
The workshop participants' presence was intense and sustained throughout the entire day. The shamans remained present, opening, closing, and highlighting the topics discussed, bringing and recalling stories and songs. We observed the gesture of encouraging the participation of young adolescents selected for the training provided for in the project's scope. The discussions were guided by the construction of thematic maps (Forest, Conflicts, Water Resources, Animals) and collective incursions into the territory's locations. During the last three days of the workshop, the main stages of the Hãmhi Project were discussed, the areas of the school nurseries were defined, as well as the Environmental and Territorial Management Plan for each Indigenous Land.
Pradinho: May 1-7, 2023
Água Boa: May 9-14, 2023
Aldeia Verde and Cachoeirinha: May 9th to 14th, 2023
Village-School-Forest: May 15-21, 2023
Each of us came from a village and joined forces here.
And we will continue this way to achieve the best things.
We have the kuxex (corner houses) here
When we start our work
the yãmîyxop will accompany us and will walk around us
so that the children do not go there to the nursery.
It was very good, I really liked it!
It's okay because we'll all be here until the end,
Then there will be another ritual and we will do it like that too.
That's it. Look, I'll tell you. It's really good!
We need to have the forest so that children can build their homes in the future.
Especially because we can't collect firewood from farmers' land.
Farmers will not want to leave the land.
I'm telling you to teach the children here well.
After all, how will they continue to build their homes?
The wood is almost gone because of the fires, now there is only a little bit, but in a while there will be no more.
There's a little bit there, but they're almost gone.
This project will be very good, as it will bring many good things to us.
Because the yãmĩyxop won't let the fire in!
We will help too, we will go together with the women and children.
And that.
Candido Maxakali
Ethnomapping workshop, Aldeia Nova Vila, Pradinho, May 2023
