The Heart of Our Village: The Kupixawa

At the heart of Vari Teka Village stands something far more than a building. To the untrained eye, the Kupixawa might look like a large house made of wood and leaves. But when you step inside, you realize it is alive. It is the centre of our community, our collective sanctuary, our living ancestral memory. The Kupixawa is where our daily life, our ceremonies, and the wisdom of our ancestors come together to benefit the whole community, and the world.

Why This Matters

Tucked deep in the state of Acre, Vari Teka Village is a living center of cultural preservation, community resilience, and spiritual connection.

As the world’s attention turns toward environmental protection and plant medicine, the Noke Kuin of Vari Teka have opened their hearts, generously sharing their wisdom and traditions to inspire people everywhere to reconnect with nature and join in the work of planetary healing.

Yet the challenges that lie before us are greater than ever before.

Climate change, unpredictable weather, and shifting river levels threaten both our land and our way of life. Still, the Noke Kuin of Vari Teka remain steadfast in our mission: to protect the Amazon, to safeguard our culture, and to awaken global awareness of the sacred bond between people and the Earth.

A Sacred Bridge

In our Noke Koi cosmovision, the Kupixawa is a bridge between two worlds: the visible and the invisible.

Inside, chants, prayers, and plant medicines weave an energetic field that connects us to the spirits of the forest and to those who came before us. Its circular form mirrors the cycles of life, harmony, and unity. When we enter, we enter as community with mutual respect—knowing that every gathering renews our bond with the forest and the unseen world.

A Living School for Indigenous Knowledge

The Kupixawa is not only sacred—it is also our school.

Here, elders pass on creation stories, sacred chants, and ancestral knowledge to the children. The youth learn the discipline of ceremonies, the meaning of body painting, and the power of medicinal plants. No books are needed. The Kupixawa itself is the teacher, where words, songs, and lived experience carry our culture forward.

A Place of Community, Sacred Ceremony and Celebration

This is where the heart of our spiritual life beats.

On ayahuasca nights, the fire glows, chants rise, and visions guide healing and protection. Rapé, Kambô, and plant baths are practiced here, each with its role in harmonizing body and spirit. Yet the Kupixawa is also filled with laughter, dances, birthdays, and intercultural gatherings. For us, the sacred and the joyful are never separate.

Our Past, Our Future

Long ago, our people lived together under one immense mother house. Today, each family has its own home, but the Kupixawa remains our unifying center.

The first Kupixawa in Vari Teka was built thanks to the generosity of supporters and the tireless work of Chief Pina Varinawa and his wife Memy. Since then, it has welcomed ceremonies, retreats, and friends from around the world.

Why We Need Your Support

Now, we dream of building a new Kupixawa—stronger, larger, and able to welcome our growing community and visitors like you.

This sacred house is not just for us; it is a sacred doorway for all who wish to experience the depth of Noke Koi culture and the wisdom of the forest.

By supporting the construction of the Kupixawa in Vari Teka village, you are helping us preserve our ancient traditions, protect the Amazon jungle, and create a space where humanity and the Earth remain connected forever.

How You Can Help

Your donation—no matter the size—brings us closer to this dream.

Together, we can raise the walls of the Kupixawa, and together, we can ensure that this living heart continues to beat for generations to come.

👉 Donate today and become part of the story of the Kupixawa.

👉 Click here to get involved hands on with our active projects in the village