Team
PADRINHO PAULO
Padrinho Paulo Roberto Silva e Souza is one of the foremost English speaking authorities on the psycho-spiritual work of Amazonian communities. Trained as a classical psychologist, he has a degree in psychology from the University Gama Filho in Rio de Janeiro. He first encountered Santo Daime in 1976. Working for the Brazilian government in Amazonia, he began his lifelong study of the psychological and spiritual effects plants of the rainforest have on communities of native people. In 1985, he played an important role working with the Brazilian government to ensure the protection and legalization of Santo Daime and its use of Ayahuasca as a religious sacrament.
In 1982 he became the head of the Céu do Mar church in Rio de Janeiro and continued to develop his work integrating the science of the mind with theology that spoke to the spirit. He has been especially influential in the early North American Santo Daime movement and the introduction of the Doctrine and ceremonies to many new cities across the continent (and dozens of other countries globally).
Since his first lecture at Harvard University about 20 years ago, Padrinho Paulo Roberto has been invited to universities and conferences around the world to share his knowledge of Christian-Spirituality and plant medicines. He recently presented at a Google Tech Talk on the threats to the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, speaking about the use of sacramental plants and spiritual teachings of the Yawanawa tribe and the Santo Daime communities in Brazil. He is also a keen advocate for the support and preservation of indigenous traditions and teachings.
He is a President of Guananshe Co. in South Bahia, and the manager of Jungle Clinic projects in Rio de Janeiro; Bahia, and Amazonia at Mutum, Yawanawa.
JORDÃO PUKUNTI
Jordao Souza has a lifelong relationship with Amazon. Born in Rio de Janeiro in a family who has strong ties with different tribes in the Amazon. Jordao first made contact with Yawanawa in 2009. Since then he has immersed himself in Yawanawa culture, art, music, studying Yawanawa medicinal plant knowledge and spirituality with the tribe’s elders. Jordao was the last student initiated by Paje Tata (before his passing in December 2016 at the age of 103.) His primary passion is to facilitate journeys to Mutum village for people around the world, believing deeply in his duty to extend the transformative opportunity he received and to pass the knowledge.
Jordao worked for international organizations as a liaison for the Yawanawa tribe. He is responsible for preparing feasibility studies for projects proposed by the Indigenous Advisory Committee, and assisting in the implementation of approved projects, such as the Traditional School of Mutum and Nipei; Garden of Medicines.
KENE
Kenewma comes from a lineage of powerful spiritual leaders. She is a student who was initiated into one of the strongest spiritual studies within her culture. She was the first youth and third Yawanawá woman in the history of her tribes people to enter into this profound study. She is dedicated to walking the path of knowledge and innately carries a strong spiritual force within. Kenewma is deeply devoted to the health and well-being of her tribe. Following in the footsteps of her grandfather, mother and father, she both helps and supports the village in any way she can.
Kenewma carries a beautiful and remarkable voice which brings both a unique and inspiring energy within their saitis (music).
TXIVA
Angelique Watson is a dear friend and student within the spiritual path and community of the Yawanawá Tribe. She was given the name Txivã by Kenewma's father, Chief Biraci Nixiwaka. From her first encounter with the tribe over ten years ago, she felt a strong connection and knew she held a lifelong mission with them. Txivã helps to plan, create and implement projects within the tribe to ensure the continuation and protection of their humble, simple and beautiful way of life.
NAIWENI MARIAZINHA YAWANAWA
Naiweni is the first female leader in the history of the Yawanawa tribes people. She received the essence, the way of leadership from generations of leaders. In Yawanawa traditions, the last days of an elder are the most important moments among people of the tribe. In their oral traditions, the sacred knowledge of each craft is passed from an elder to a few chosen ones.
Naiweni’s father, a well respected Yawanawa leader chose to pass the craft of leadership to his daughter.
JESSICA
SHAINA
LUIS