The Yawanawá—the "People of the Wild Boar"— live along the Gregório River in Acre, Brazil, who have undergone a profound cultural revival centered on their deep connection to the Amazon rainforest. Ceremony is deeply embedded in their culture and their lifeway.
Their spiritual life is led by shamans (pajés) and revolves around communal purification, healing, and ancestral connection. Central to this  is the use of ​Uni (Ayahuasca) and Rumê (Rapé): These traditional plant medicines are core to their ceremonies, serving as sacred tools to connect with forest spirits, cleanse the body, and attain inner vision. ​Saitis: Spiritual prayers and powerful, celebratory songs are sung during rituals to maintain a continuous energetic dialogue with their ancestors. They are one of the first tribes to initiate female shamans. ​During major celebrations like the Mariri Festival, the community unites through traditional dances, games, and elaborate body art. They adorn themselves with kênes (sacred geometric patterns) painted with red urucum and dark genipapo pigments, visually reflecting the stories, animals, and protective spirits of their territory.