Largest indigenous territory in Pantanal fights to preserve its culture
The Kadiwéu territory, located in the Porto Murtinho region of Mato Grosso do Sul, is the second-largest Indigenous area in Brazil, behind only those within the Amazon Legal region.
Covering 539,000 hectares, it is home to approximately 1,600 residents.
Spread across six villages, the Kadiwéu people face the challenge of keeping their traditions alive amid the rapid transformations brought on by the digital age.
At the heart of the territory lies the Tomásia village, home to around 100 families.
The community continues to honor its cavalry traditions, still using the body paint once worn during war to decorate their roughly 80 horses.
"Today we carry great meaning because we fought and persisted in this war, reclaiming our cavalry," says Chief Eudes Abicho.
The village offers horse taming courses that combine general techniques with traditional Kadiwéu knowledge.
According to the Kadiwéu, their connection with horses dates back centuries, beginning when they tamed animals brought by colonizers. Later, they joined Brazilian soldiers and strengthened the cavalry during the war against Paraguay.
Another important cultural element is their ceramic art, a tradition passed down through generations of women in the community.
Each piece carries symbolic meaning, with specific shapes representing different concepts. For example, the zigzag staircase design symbolizes growth, while the circle stands for evolution.
The deep black color found in many pieces comes from the resin of the Pau Santo tree (Bursera graveolens), native to the Pantanal.
In the Campina village, another part of the Kadiwéu culture is being revived.
Chief Pedro Nunes explains that the community is encouraging traditional body painting and graphic art practices.
Since 2022, elders have been invited to teach these traditions to younger members of the community.
The elder women also preserve the art of basketry, weaving palm leaves from the Pindó tree (Syagrus romanzoffiana).
According to artisan Marcelina, a single basket can take up to a month to complete.
The NGOs Wetlands International and Mupan (Women in Action in the Pantanal) work alongside the villages, promoting cultural initiatives that help preserve the ethnic identity of the Kadiwéu.
Despite the pressures of modern society, the Kadiwéu people continue to resist and maintain their roots—preserving their past while passing their traditions on to the next generations.
"Our culture was practically dying. We are encouraging the children not to abandon it and to practice it, because they are the future of our villages," emphasizes Chief Pedro Nunes of Campina village.