Bilingual book brings together Drawings and Stories of Guarani Culture

"Our way of learning is the tree, that's why we learn under the tree. Our master is the Ipê tree. From the tree, we acquired the knowledge. The tree is the beginning of our knowledge.” – Jose will see (Nhemombaraete Reko Rā’i: strengthening wisdom)

On the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Yvyty Porã is located., at Guarani Barra do Ouro Indigenous Land, known among non-indigenous people as “Aldeia do Campo Molhado”. With a past of Guarani resistance, this area was taken over by the Mbya Guarani and demarcated about 30 years, being one of the largest exclusively Guarani indigenous lands in the state of RS. there lives Jose will see: book author “Nhemombaraete Reko Rā’i: strengthening wisdom” (Stream, 128 P. R$ 60,00), that gathers your drawings and, for each of them, stories and teachings of the Guarani culture. The inauguration of the launch campaign takes place on the day 4 September (Saturday), and FAE – Ecological Farmers' Fair (Middle Bank | Rua José Bonifácio, Porto Alegre), às 10h. during the month of september, the book can be purchased for the promotional price of R$ 40,00 through the site www.riacho.me/josevera. Then, the bilingual Portuguese/Guarani publication will be available for sale at the bookstore Via Sapiens (Porto Alegre), on the seal website Stream and also direct with the author.

Jose will see, from 71 years, self-taught designer was born for the “storytelling”. The Serra Bonita Village (Yvyty Poran), located between the municipalities of Caraá, Maquiné and Riozinho, served as inspiration and guide. “I wrote here, inside this house, inside my village, in the middle of my family”, remember the artist. “I didn't go out to another place. I got a message directly to me”, explains. Produced by pencil and pen, the drawings reflect the spirituality of the Mbya Guarani people and their relationship with biodiversity.

Messages about ecology and community life permeate the work. With titles like O Lua (Jaxy), The Sun (Kuaray), our real mother (Nhandexy anhetêngua), Erva-mate (KaꞋa), School (NhemboꞋea), the themes of the book yield lessons for indigenous people and especially for non-indigenous people.. The stories show the intimate relationship that indigenous peoples have with the territory. And that is why they bring to light the relevance of the struggle waged by the indigenous people for the self-demarcation of this area three decades ago.

The stories that make up “Nhemombaraete Reko Rā’i: strengthening wisdom” were dictated by José Verá to Guarani teachers, who subsequently revised and translated into Portuguese.. The book was collaboratively composed, with visits to the community with printed and digital prototypes to decide the final look of the publication. The project was executed through the Public Notice for Creation and Formation of Diversity of Cultures carried out with resources from the Aldir Blanc Law nº 14.017/20 and it is one of the actions of AEPIM (Association for Studies and Projects with Indigenous and Minority Peoples), non-governmental organization that has been operating since 2009 in partnership with indigenous peoples, Maroons, fishing and family farming communities. The publication has edition and graphic design of the Riacho editorial label ( @riacho.me / www.riacho.me ) active since 2016 with a focus on poetic work and socio-environmental diversity.

Credits:

drawings and stories: Jose will see

Mbya Guarani Transcription and Portuguese Translation: Francisco Moreira Alves and Gerônimo Morinico Franco

Mbya Guarani Review: Romario Benites

Graphic design and organization: Dani Eizirik, Iana Scopel Van Nouhuys, Kátia Zanini and Sérgio Guidoux

Support: Beatriz Gimenes and Ramon Brizoela

Photographs: Sérgio Guidoux and the author's personal collection

Realization: aepim – Association for Studies and Projects with Indigenous and Minority Peoples

Edition: Stream – @riacho.me / www.riacho.me