Chief Biraci Nixiwaka

Chief Biraci Nixiwaka (Bira) is a historic figure in the Brazilian indigenous movement. In 1984, he led the Yawanawá people to become the first tribe in Acre state to legally demarcate their territory. At 18, he expelled missionaries and rubber tappers who had suppressed Yawanawá language, culture, and spirituality. He was the first in generations to complete the sacred initiation diet, reviving forgotten medicines and traditions. In 2002, he founded the Yawa Festival, sparking a cultural renaissance among indigenous peoples across Brazil. He now leads Aldeia Sagrada (Sacred Village) alongside his wife, shaman Putanny.