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During the Atsa Puyanawa festival, which takes place until July 23, in the municipality of Mâncio Lima (AC), the presence of international visitors has drawn attention. Among the tourists is the journalist and documentary filmmaker Tuuli Roosma, from Estonia, who arrived in the region accompanied by her husband, also a communication professional, and the two children. The family has been in the Juruá Valley for about a month for the purpose of registering and experiencing the cultural diversity of Brazil, especially the indigenous.
Tourists from Estonia are enchanted by the strength of indigenous culture during the Atsa Puyanawa festival. Photo: Contilnet
In an interview with Ioannis Orfanos translation, Tuuli shared his admiration for the Puyanawa community. For her, the most impressive is like a seemingly small village can carry such cultural strength.
“Even with a small population, the cultural force of the Puyanawa people is very, very strong. It has impressed us deeply. The culture is rich, alive, and touched us very specially,” Tuuli said, thrilled.
The family’s coming to Puyanawa village happened spontaneously after a visit to members of the Huni Kuin people. There, they heard about the festival and decided to know closely, even without prior contact with the hosts.
Family has been in the Juruá Valley for about a month for the purpose of registering and experiencing the cultural diversity of Brazil. Photo: Contilnet
“We didn’t know much about the festival, but we decided to come. We didn’t know anyone here and then we understood that it was important to ask Cacique permission. We came anyway, and we were received with great affection,” said Tuuli.
The connection between Estonia and Brazilian indigenous peoples began outside Brazil. Tuuli’s husband met a Huni Kuin leader during a cultural visit in Europe, which aroused the family’s interest in the reality of peoples from the Amazon.
The presence of Estonians at the Ata Puyanawa festival shows the international impact that indigenous culture can exert, especially when it is experienced in a respectful and immersive way. The event, which brings together traditional rituals, cultural presentations and dialogues between indigenous peoples and visitors, has been consolidating itself as an important space for appreciation and visibility for the Puyanawa.
The Estonian family continues in the region until the end of the festival, recording images and experiences that should compose a documentary about Brazilian cultural diversity, with emphasis on the resistance and strength of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon.
