How a plastic cave made in Spain keeps Amazonian culture alive 5,000 miles away
In an interview with Elewoká Waurá, the chief of Ulupuwene, we explore the significance of the newly inaugurated lifesize replica of the sacred cave Kamukuwaká in Brazil’s first Indigenous museum dedicated to the Xingu people. The Wauja community came together to celebrate this momentous occasion amid vibrant ritual dances and cultural festivities.
“Today is not just a celebration; it is an act of resistance,” Elewoká emphasizes. “This museum and the Kamukuwaká replica represent our strength, our struggle, and our unity with other Xingu people. We hope this resource will help preserve our cultural heritage and highlight the threats facing our land from climate change and extractive industries.”
The original Kamukuwaká cave, home to many myths that define the culture of Indigenous people in the Upper Xingu, is currently at risk. It was vandalized in September 2018 when ancient engravings were deliberately destroyed. “Losing those petroglyphs felt like losing our family,” says Akari Waurá, a singer and chief from Tepepeweke village. “Without these markings, how will we tell our story? Who will teach the next generations?”
Reflecting on the community’s struggle since their territory was designated as protected in 1961, Akari notes, “While much of our land is safeguarded, we face numerous pressures from agriculture, illegal logging, and land grabs. Our tireless campaigning led to the expansion of our protected area, but the cave remains outside those limits, complicating our access.”
As we delve deeper into the project, we discover that the replica was created using advanced 3D imaging technology after the damage was discovered. “I didn’t believe they could make such an accurate replica,” Akari recalls, having been the first to see it in Spain. “When I saw it, I was amazed, and we knew we had to bring it back.”
The finished 8 by 4-meter replica, weighing one ton, was transported over 5,000 miles and assembled with the help of the local community. It now resides in the Cultural and Monitoring Centre, a place where the Wauja can connect with their past without risking their safety in the original cave.
Tukupe Waurá, another Wauja elder, shares the importance of this replica for future generations. “Now, not just the Wauja but all Xingu people can visit without danger. It ensures that our culture, spirituality, and sensitivity continue to thrive.”
Anthropologist Chris Ball echoes this sentiment, stating, “To create a replica is to honor the original and bring it into the present. It empowers our understanding of heritage.”
As the Wauja community continues their ritual celebrations, the atmosphere is filled with hope for the future. “We are here continuing the fight of our ancestor Kamukuwaká,” Tukupe concludes. “This replica keeps our history alive, allowing us to pass it on to the next generation.”
