History and Resilience of the Nukini
The Nukini are part of the Pano language family and inhabit the Juruá Valley region of the Brazilian Amazon. This group has faced a devastating history of dispossession and violence since the mid-nineteenth century, marked by the brutal expansion of the rubber industry. Despite these challenges, they have struggled to preserve and revive their culture and language in a context of continuous external pressure.
Territory and Conservation
The Nukini Indigenous Land, located next to the Serra do Divisor National Park in Acre, is part of one of the most important mosaics of protected areas in Brazil. Not only is this territory crucial to the physical and cultural survival of the Nukini, but it is also a bastion of biodiversity in the Amazon, managed and protected by the tribe.
Contemporary Challenges
The main challenge facing the Nukini is to ensure the continuity of their culture and physical reproduction in a rapidly changing world. This includes protecting their lands from external threats and revitalizing their language and traditions in a context where many young people now speak only Portuguese.
Social Structure and Community Life
Nukini society is organized into clans, and patrilineal family relationships play a crucial role in the community structure. The residences, built with resources from the forest, reflect the harmony of the Nukini with their surroundings. In addition, the division of labour by sex and age defines responsibilities within the community.
Cultural Practices and Rituals
The Nukini maintain traditional rituals such as mariri, a dance that strengthens the group's cohesion and emphasizes their cultural identity. Indigenous songs, some old and some new, are a vital means of transmitting knowledge and connecting generations.
Political Participation
In political terms, the Nukini have adopted a system of democratic representation to elect leaders who handle both the internal affairs of the community and their representation on the Serra do Divisor National Park council, demonstrating a commitment to the participatory and sustainable management of their territory.
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